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MEDIA ALERT
Voice of the Faithful Members to Meet with
Representatives of the Diocese of Brooklyn
WHO: VOTF Brooklyn and Queens, NY.
WHAT: Will be meeting with representatives from the Diocese
of Brooklyn.
WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 10:30AM
WHERE: Immaculate Conception Center, 7200 Douglaston Parkway,
Douglaston Queens.
WHY: On October 25, 2002, Thomas V. Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn,
issued a statement prohibiting VOTF meetings on Diocesan property.
Members of VOTF requested an opportunity to explain the goals of
the group in hopes of having the ban reversed. Bishop Daily has
designated a committee, headed by Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Catanello,
to begin dialogue on this issue.
VOTF Leaders from Brooklyn and Queens Attending:
- Joan Briody, St.
Francis de Sales, founding member of Rockaway Beach VOTF
- Melissa Gradel, St.
Boniface, member of Brooklyn VOTF Organizing Committee and VOTF
Regional Coordinator for Diocese of Brooklyn
- Vincent Joseph, St.
Boniface, member of Brooklyn VOTF Organizing Committee
- Mary Kiernan, St.
Rose of Lima, founding member of Rockaway Beach VOTF
- Vera Powers, St.
Francis de Sales, founding member of Rockaway Beach VOTF
- Edward N. Wilson,
St. Boniface, member of Brooklyn VOTF Organizing Committee
Diocesan Committee Members Attending:
- Bishop Ignatius Catanello,
Auxiliary Bishop for Queens South
- Msg. John Brown,
Director of Personnel
- Sr. Maryann Seton
Lopiccolo, SC, Episcopal Delegate for Religious
- Msg. John Antoncic,
Pastor, St. Mel's, Flatbush, and Chair of Presbyteral Council
- Mildred Shanley,
retired attorney for Brooklyn Catholic Charities
Background:
Despite Bishop Daily’s ban, VOTF Affiliates have begun to form
in Brooklyn and Queens, with an estimated 200-plus membership from
25 parishes to date. The Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes the
boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, is one of nation’s largest dioceses
and home to 1.8 million Catholics. The banning of Catholics from
church property in Brooklyn, NY, Long Island, NY, Portland ME, Bridgeport,
CT, Newark, NJ, Camden, NJ, Baker, OR, and Boston, MA is divisive
and an affront to Catholics everywhere.
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