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We speak as members of the Voice of the Faithful, a group of the
faithful with over 2000 supporters in over 12 nations. We have formed
in response to the crimes of sexual abuse by Catholic Priests and
the institutional efforts to conceal those crimes.
While we are pleased that the Vatican has taken emergency measures
to respond to this crisis, we are concerned, for two reasons, that
the process, as described in the media, is not adequate to address
the entire problem.
First, it appears that the Vatican effort is targeted only at the
problem of sexual abuse by clergy and does not plan to address the
causes of the institutional failures in responding to the crimes
of abuse.
Second, solution of these two problems, the crimes and the institutional
failures requires complete information about the situation, and
all the resources of the Church. The laity are needed to describe
the public and personal response of the faithful to the problems,
and to add their strength to the search for a solution.
Therefore, we have the following requests to the Vatican:
First, We call for a broadening of the discussion beyond sexual
abuse, to acknowledge and explore the underlying cause of the institutional
failures.
Second, We ask that those in the Vatican responsible for these
discussions seek input from the involved laity, who have information
about the problem that is required for its solution.
Voice of the Faithful, as the largest organization of laity formed
in response to this crisis, requests that a Voice delegation, be
permitted to meet with Vatican officials within the next several
weeks. The delegation, which will include survivors of abuse, will
be able to present the perspective of the laity on the devastating
effects of the crimes and institutional failures on the victims,
and on all of the faithful.
Both a clear understanding of the depth of the problem, and the
full support of the laity, are essential for the redemption and
improvement of a severely damaged Church. We offer our prayers that
a better Church will emerge from this crisis.
We ask that the American Cardinals participating in the meetings
in Rome this week support this request by the Faithful to have a
Voice in subsequent Vatican discussions.
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