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

Voice of the Faithful Reaffirms Call for Financial Transparency in Response to Tucson Diocese Filing for Bankruptcy

Organization Urges Bishops and Lay Catholics to Follow Pope John Paul II’s Vision for “Shared Responsibility”

September 21, 2004 – Newton, Mass. – Leaders of Voice of the Faithful say that the diocese of Tucson’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy -- the second by a Catholic diocese in three months -- combined with the massive Church closings in the archdiocese of Boston demonstrate the need for all dioceses to embark upon a process of financial transparency equal to that required of other non-profit organizations.

Leaders are urging the U.S. Bishops to heed the concerns made public by Pope John Paul II that the Bishops may have distanced themselves from their flocks and is calling on both the Bishops and lay Catholics to commit to a sense of “shared responsibility,” also called for by the Pope, to solve the problems connected to clergy sexual abuse and the financial crisis. The organization of lay Catholics also is advocating that the Bishops reaffirm their commitment to healing for the survivor community as a critical step in achieving that “shared responsibility.”

“The only way that the Catholic Church in the United States can restore faith in its abilities to manage financial resources and the spiritual well-being of its members that those financial resources help to support is through financial transparency,” says James E. Post, president of Voice of the Faithful. “Bishop Kicanas has stated in his letter to the Catholics of Tucson that the filing includes detailed financial information and his pledge to be open and transparent in this process is a positive step that we hope he will pursue in meaningful ways. Nevertheless, it is clear that the U.S. Bishops, including Bishop Kicanas, must provide a level of financial transparency consistent with that of other non-profit organizations.”

“Survivors should not be blamed for this bankruptcy filing or the financial crisis that the Catholic Church is in,” said Steve Krueger, executive director of Voice of the Faithful. “They deserve justice for the decades of harm that the Church visited on them. It is encouraging that Bishop Kicanas states in his letter to survivors that he is not taking this step to avoid taking responsibility but rather to address the Tucson diocese’s responsibility towards survivors. The burden of proof is now on Bishop Kicanas to match deeds to those words.”

“This bankruptcy filing represents not only the financial crisis confronting the Catholic Church in the United States but also is indicative of the root causes of the clergy sexual abuse crisis – the lack of meaningful lay involvement and a clerical culture that subverts transparency,” said Krueger. “Bankruptcy can provide an opportunity for renewal but only if the root causes are acknowledged. Recent statements by Pope John Paul II talked about a ‘crisis of confidence’ in the institutional leadership of the Church and asserted the need for a ‘shared responsibility’ between the lay faithful and the hierarchy. This hopeful vision of meaningful lay involvement and transparency must be transformed into inclusive action. This can only occur when Bishops embrace their responsibility in the same way we are witnessing the laity embrace theirs.”

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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.