Contact: Suzanne Morse 617-680-2131,smorse@votf.org

Statement by Voice of the Faithful Leaders on Cardinal Law’s New Appointment

Newton, Mass. – May 27, 2004 – “It is profoundly disappointing that the Vatican appointed Bernard Cardinal Law to head the St. Mary Major Basilica,” said James E. Post, president of Voice of the Faithful. “This appointment will bring unnecessary pain to the survivor community, who continue to struggle with the wounds inflicted on them by the failures of hierarchical leadership that Law so exemplifies. Cardinal Law, acting as a church leader, failed thousands of children and millions of Catholics.”

“The Pope has spoken of the shame and scandal of clergy sexual abuse. This public affirmation of Cardinal Law’s position as a church leader undermines the Pope’s stated concern for children and young people,” Post said. “We need the Holy Father to ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to zero tolerance for those who were complicit in the sexual abuse of thousands of children.”

“It is discouraging in light of the announcement made just two days ago that 20% of the parishes in the archdiocese of Boston will be closing,” said Steve Krueger, executive director of Voice of the Faithful. “The reason given to us for closure is because of the financial condition of the archdiocese, especially due to the unfunded pension liability. Catholics are realizing that, at best, the finances of the archdiocese were mismanaged in the last several decades. The closures have left us with difficult and unanswered questions about financial accountability within the archdiocese of Boston.”

“At a point in when the Church should be focused on the needs of the people in the pews and the priests who serve them, instead, the Vatican chose to make and to announce this controversial decision regarding Cardinal Law’s future in the Church,” said Krueger.

//end

About Voice of the Faithful: Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group's mission is to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals are to support victim/survivors of abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching. VOTF’s supporting membership exceeds 30,000 registered persons from 50 U.S. states, 21 countries and 203 Parish Voice affiliates throughout the world.