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For Immediate Release

Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org (617) 680-2131 (cell)

Voice of the Faithful Delivers Petition to Bishops

November 13, 2006

Mary Pat Fox, President of the Catholic reform group, Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), delivered a petition signed by over 8,000 faithful Catholics to The Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin and Chair of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The meeting, which was described as “cordial” by both sides, took place in Baltimore on Friday, November 10, 2006. The petition called on the Bishops to:

  1. Fully fund and complete the USCCB study (“Causes & Context”), to determine the underlying structural and cultural causes of the clergy sexual abuse scandal—and act on the recommendations in a timely manner.
  2. Create a national database of credibly accused priests to help protect countless children from further abuse and to validate the claims of those who have been abused.
  3. Achieve financial accountability by ensuring that finance councils in each diocese and every parish are genuine and effective; and require the regular release of all financial documents necessary to ensure financial transparency.

The “Causes and Context Study” was approved by the Bishops at their meeting in Dallas in 2002 and awarded to the John Jay College of the City University of New York last November. The agreement with John Jay calls on the school to raise the differential between the $1 million authorized and the full cost of the study. VOTF believes that this study is an essential step in ending this terrible crisis that has been so damaging to our Church. We would expect every bishop would vote in favor of releasing the $335,000 called for at this time and we would hope at least some bishops would encourage the USCCB to guarantee the funding of the entire study in the event John Jay College is not able to raise all of the remaining funds necessary (approximately 2.5 -$3M). The expected completion of the study is not until 2009, given its complexity. Any delay due to lack of funding is unacceptable.

National Data Base

A VOTF survey of all the diocesan web sites in the country has revealed that 21 dioceses list one or more credibly accused priests by name, so there is a precedent for this action. A national standardized data base would make it easier for parents and concerned adults to identify known perpetrators and will further validate the claims of survivors. At minimum the list should include all assignments, current status and a photo of the priest. Only one diocese, Philadelphia, currently provides for this minimum.

The survey also revealed that 32 dioceses do not list the Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC) contact information on their web sites. Bishops need to increase the level of outreach to survivors. VAC contact information should be listed in every parish bulletin and every diocesan newspaper. The names of abusive priests should also be regularly listed in all parish bulletins where they worked. Our Church leaders must do all they can to let survivors know that they are concerned for all those who have yet to come forward

Financial Accountability

In addition to the sexual abuses tragedy, the numerous financial scandals that have been recently revealed have shaken the trust of Catholics all over the nation – again. VOTF requests the Bishops to join us in implementing effective finance councils in every parish and diocese in the country. Only through full accountability and transparency of Church financial affairs will the trust of the faithful be restored.

Open House

Mary Pat Fox (VOTF President) and Gaile Pohlhaus (Secretary) have sent all the U.S. Bishops an open invitation to meet with them later today at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, site of the USCCB meeting. “More than 35,000 Catholics have identified themselves as VOTF members and we know many more Catholics are eager to work with the bishops to reach out to survivors, support priests of integrity and work together towards greater accountability in our Church from reforming antiquated sexual abuse laws to better protecting minors to improved financial transparency," said Mary Pat Fox. “We hope that today’s meetings will lead to further discussions with VOTF members back in their home dioceses so that we might work together in furthering the improvement of our Church.”


"Deliver Us From Evil” Documentary Screening Tonight

The award-winning documentary “Deliver Us From Evil” will be screened tonight (11/13) at the Charles Theatre 1711 N. Charles St., Baltimore (a short distance from the Marriot). You can reserve a place by emailing to RSVP@alliedbalt.com. Mention “Deliver Us From Evil” in the subject line and state whether you will be bringing a guest as well as the date of the screening you are attending.


John Moynihan is available by cell phone and is at the Marriot Waterfront to discuss this release.
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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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