During the VOTF National Convention (October 19-21 in Providence RI) a Priest of Integrity Award will be given.

We are soliciting nominations for this award. Please consider making a nomination. This award is a gesture and a sign of our gratitude and respect for the servant leaders in our midst who are so essential to a healthy Church. We wish to honor those men, characterized by wholeness and holiness, in season and out, who are faithful to their vows and witnesses of Christ's conviction and compassion. We believe there are many anonymous priests who could be so honored.

We thank those priests who are willing to be singled out for this honor and appreciate the conflicting desire not to be so publicly acknowledged. As a sacramental people we need these concrete examples as outward signs to affirm our faith. It is our hope that be selecting a few, the rest of us are inspired to persevere in the work that we believe God has called us to do.

In the past, only one priest was recognized each year.
2002 - Fr. Tom Doyle
2004 - Fr. James Scahill
2005 Msgr. Lawrence Breslin

This year the names of every priest who is nominated will be recognized and acknowledged even though only one will receive the main Award.

Nominations now are being accepted.
Please copy and paste the template below into the body of an email to Vince Grenough at vingreno@insightbb.com and then add your responses by August 15, 2007.

Name of Nominee:_________________________

Role of Nominee: (Pastor,Author,Theologian,etc.)____________________

Your Name and Affiliate: ________________________________________
(Include Affiliate name, phone, email or postal address.)
Reason for Nomination: (300 words or less)

Supporting Evidence: (Anecdotal, Newspaper article, etc.)

Availability: (Is this person willing to attend the Convention in October?)

Criteria: A Priest of Integrity

• Is recognized by his immediate circle of faithful Catholics, and by the nominating committee, to have met objective and measurable criteria for this award.
• Fulfills his calling from God by living his life in service to others.
• Is marked by a sincere faith, loyal to the vows and promises of the priesthood.
• Speaks and acts his conscience, proclaiming the truth with humility and courage without regard for his own future security.
• Models servant-leadership both in the context of his life and ministry.
• Gives credible witness to the truth in both speech and action.
• Strives to promote Christian dignity and rightful position of the laity in the Church.
• Exemplifies informed, educated, rational and mature obedience to God, His word and the Church.

These members of the Goal 2 (Priest Support) Working Group are serving as the Nomination/Selection Committee for the 2007 Award:

Joan Bedosky (NY)
Svea Fraser (MA)
Vince Grenough (KY)
Doug Roach (FL)
Eilizabeth Warren (TN)

The selection process also includes conversation with Goal 1 leaders and supports. We thank you in advance for your contributions!
For more information click here. Be sure the priest(s) you nominate agree to being nominated!