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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information Please Contact:
VOTF Regional Coordinator, Brooklyn & Queens
Melissa Gradel
(347) 489-9106
BrooklynVOTF@earthlink.net

 
VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL OF BROOKLYN AND QUEENS WELCOMES BISHOP DiMARZIO

Brooklyn, NY, August 1, 2003 -- Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) members in Brooklyn and Queens learned today that the Holy Father has accepted Bishop Daily’s resignation and appointed Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, of Camden, NJ, to lead the Diocese of Brooklyn. VOTF welcomes Bishop DiMarzio and we offer our prayers for both Bishop Daily and Bishop DiMarzio.

VOTF looks forward to Bishop DiMarzio’s friendship and partnership in Brooklyn. Although in October, 2002 Bishop Daily banned VOTF groups from meeting on church property in, he later established a committee, headed by Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Catanello, to meet with local VOTF leaders. As a result of that very constructive dialogue, on April 29, 2003, Bishop Daily reversed his earlier ban and issued a statement indicating that he had found VOTF to be in accord with Church teachings. VOTF has over 400 members in Brooklyn and Queens. We have established positive relationships with officials of the Diocese and share common cause with regard to ensuring justice and compassion for victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families; supporting priests of integrity; and ensuring the full participation of the laity, as called for by Church teachings. We anticipate these efforts to continue under Bishop DiMarzio.

We urge Bishop DiMarzio to make the sexual abuse crisis his first priority in Brooklyn. The Diocese of Brooklyn has had its share of complaints by those who have been abused by priests. Under Bishop Daily’s leadership, the Diocese has been forward in working with civil authorities and implementing new norms and policies for the protection of children. But much remains to be done. We hope that Bishop DeMarzio will:

1. Settle law suits brought by victims of abuse, even those that have passed the statute of limitations. This is what he did in Camden. As the new Archbishop of Boston, Sean O’Malley has said, even when there is no legal obligation, we have a moral obligation to deal justly with victims. Bishop DiMarzio’s record in Camden makes us hopeful that he will make resolution of these claims a priority.

2. Resolve as expeditiously as possible the status of priests suspended based on accusations of sexual abuse of minors. These priests and their parishioners, need closure. Every effort should be made to gather the facts and act appropriately.

3. Work to ensure full participation of laity at every parish in Brooklyn. This is urgent, not only in terms of healing the wounds of this crisis but also in creatively addressing other pressing issues facing the Diocese, including a critical shortage of priests.

We look forward to meeting Bishop DiMarzio and assure him of VOTF’s readiness to help in these endeavors.

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VOTF™
Mission Statement

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.

 

Our Goals

1. To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

2. To support priests of integrity

3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.
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