For Immediate Release
Media Alert

WHO: Voice of the Faithful

WHAT: Press Conference in St. Louis, MO

WHEN: Thursday, June 19, 2003 at 7:45-8:45AM CT (This timing will allow you to attend the press conference and still attend the 9AM open session of the Bishops' Conference)

WHERE: Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown (Union Station), 2211 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 (This location is close to the Hyatt, where the Bishops' Conference is taking place; you will have ample time to get from our press conference to the Bishops' Conference)

WHY: To set expectations and share VOTF's perceptions and insights regarding the Conference of U.S. Bishops, the current state of the crisis, and an ongoing agenda for change

HOW: 1) Remarks by VOTF executive director Steve Krueger on: why VOTF is attending the conference; what the current "state of the crisis" looks like from VOTF's perspective, including the first announcement of results of a new June, 2003 VOTF survey; how the environment for change has evolved into a new "accountability" phase;
2) Remarks by a representative from VOTF-Brooklyn on how dialogue with their diocese's Bishop Thomas V. Daily led to positive change
3) Remarks by a representative from VOTF-Phoenix, AZ on the condition of that diocese in light of the unprecedented ruling there regarding Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien
4) Remarks by representatives of VOTF-St. Louis
5) Following the presentation, a "Q & A" session and one-on-one interview opportunities with VOTF Parish Voice representatives and members who have been working with survivors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All press covering the Bishops' Conference are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Luise Cahill Dittrich, at 617-680-2131 (cell). Information on VOTF can be located on the web at www.votf.org .

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