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

For Immediate Release

Voice of the Faithful Urges Accountability for Bishops in Reaction to Recent Revelations in Idaho

June 6, 2005 – Newton, Mass. – Members of Voice of the Faithful are calling on Bishop Michael P. Driscoll of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho to examine his conscience regarding recent revelations that he did not remove a deacon convicted of viewing child pornography and that he failed in his duties as pastoral leader to protect children from known abusers as Bishop in Orange County, California. Additionally, the organization is calling on him to demonstrate his commitment to helping survivors and addressing the concerns of lay Catholics by following recent recommendations made to him by survivor organizations.

Last November, Voice of the Faithful called on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to establish meaningful structures of accountability for U.S. Bishops who have knowingly transferred abusive priests. Leaders of the organization are reiterating that call.

“Last year, we called on all U.S. Bishops who knowingly transferred sexually abusive priests to resign,” said James E. Post, president of Voice of the Faithful. “The recent revelations in Boise suggest that Bishop Driscoll is among those bishops who knowingly transferred abusers. Bishop Driscoll may have been heartfelt and open in his apologies but it is equally clear among Catholics of good will that more is being asked of the bishop.”

“Catholics in Idaho have been heartened by Bishop Driscoll’s actions regarding child safety protection and lay involvement,” said Darlyne Pape, a member of Voice of the Faithful in Idaho. “At the same time, it is disappointing that the diocese is going through this experience, and I think we all wish that Bishop Driscoll had dealt with the situation with Mr. Howell in a more timely and accountable manner. As Bishop Driscoll has attempted to move the diocese in important ways to develop a safe environment for children and to reach out to survivors, now is an opportunity for him to become a leader on a broader arena in this regard.”

“Bishop Driscoll’s apologies regarding his actions in Orange County may be encouraging but his recent actions in Idaho undermine them and demonstrate how much the culture of clericalism and secrecy has harmed the Catholic Church in this country,” said Suzanne Morse, Communications Manager for Voice of the Faithful. “For lay Catholics, clergy, and hierarchy alike, healing the wounds of this scandal requires full acknowledgement of the hierarchy’s lack of leadership, as well as the kinds of structures of accountability that our organization has advocated for recently. For the U.S. Bishops to rebuild trust and regain credibility, they must work with lay Catholics to ensure that no child is ever harmed again.”

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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, 39 countries and 207 Parish Voice affiliates throughout the world.

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