Voice of the Faithful
   
     
Subscribe to VOTF Newsletter
Email:
 
    Keep the Faith, Change the Church    
top 2
 

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

For Immediate Release

Voice of the Faithful Supports Ongoing Prayer Vigil by Parishioners of St. Albert the Great’s in Weymouth, MA

Newton, Mass. – September 1, 2004 – Members of Voice of the Faithful are expressing their support for the actions of parishioners at St. Albert the Great’s in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Parishioners at St. Albert’s, a parish marked for closure today by the archdiocese of Boston, have been holding a prayer vigil in the church since Sunday.

“The questions that the members of St. Albert’s have raised by filing their suit in civil court are important ones,” said John Hynes, chair of Voice of the Faithful – Boston. “St. Albert’s is a vibrant community with a pastor who motivates his members to act out their Catholic faith in positive and constructive ways. The closing of this parish, like so many other parishes in the archdiocese, makes little sense. The processes devised by the archdiocese, both for closing and for appeal, have been extremely flawed. We look forward to helping St. Albert’s as they move forward as a faith community.”

“The people of St. Albert’s are demonstrating their love for their faith community formed through the inspired pastoral leadership of Fr. Ron Coyne,” said Steve Krueger, executive director of Voice of the Faithful. “Their actions represent a commitment to this vibrant parish. The flourishing community of St. Albert’s is an example of the best the Catholic Church has to offer. Regrettably, the archdiocese has been unable to respond to them and their commitment in any meaningful way.”

Last Friday, members of St. Albert the Great’s filed a law suit in civil court regarding the ownership of the church property. St. Albert’s has also filed an appeal with the Vatican, based on canon law. Members of the community have said that they will continue their vigil while both the civil and canon appeals are being considered.

//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, 39 countries and 203 Parish Voice affiliates throughout the world.

 

 

top 3

Find a Parish Voice affiliate in your area.

Calendar of events


Click here to get your copy of Keep the Faith, Change the Church.

Voice of the Faithful is recognized as one of the most promising lay organizations to evolve in the Catholic Church. Your support is absolutely necessary for us to continue. The online donation form and the mail in donation form are both quick and easy ways for you to participate, and we are most grateful. (VOTF is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. )

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.
More


right line

Pray Each Day
at Noon

Jesus, Lord and Brother, help us with our faithfulness. Please hear our voice, and let our voice be heard. Amen. More

 

         

home | survivor support | clergy support | about us | press | contact us| site map

Copyright © 2006 Voice of the Faithful, Inc. All rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions

Voice of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
Voice of Compassion, VOTF logo(s), Parish Voice, and
Prayerful Voice are trademarks of Voice of the Faithful, Inc.