Our Rights and Responsibilities

Voice of the Faithful's call for lay participation in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church is based on the clear teachings of the Second Vatican Council, which provide a strong mandate for the laity to actively guide the Church as "The People of God." The wise and eloquent documents of Vatican II articulate the laity's right — and, indeed, responsibility — to become active in the guidance of the Church.

In addition, simple morality cries out for the laity to become involved, to right the grievous wrong that has afflicted our Church. The hierarchy that failed to protect our children cannot be trusted to continue exercising unchecked control over the persons, property, money, and fate of our Church. VOTF believes that baptized Catholics must, as a matter of conscience, assert our right and responsibility to participate in the decision-making processes of the whole Catholic Church.

• VOTF and Canon Law
• VOTF and Vatican II
• Theologians' Statement Supporting VOTF