In the Vineyard
August 11, 2005

As readers of In the Vineyard know, many VOTF affiliate members and VOTF members “at large” have spent the last three years pursuing various goal-related initiatives. These include revision or elimination of statutes of limitation that have hobbled justice for survivors; opening dialogue with diocesan leadership; and establishing a substantive place for the laity in the guidance and governance of our Church on the parish and the diocesan levels. In this and the 8/25 issue, you will see measurable progress in all of these VOTF efforts: VOTF Maine has had a promising meeting with Bishop Malone; VOTF Brooklyn, NY reports meaningful change in their diocese with a “previously hostile bishop”; it took three years but VOTF Spokane, WA has made strides in their lobbying effort for sexual abuse legislation – a mandatory reporting law is now in effect; VOTF San Francisco is making headway in A (ED GLEASON); in Tampa Bay, Florida, VOTF affiliate members successfully lobbied their bishop to create, for the first time, a Diocesan Pastoral Council, to publish financial audits, and to require that parish council meetings are open to non-members; and Boston VOTF is playing a major role in the Massachusetts Senate judiciary hearings on a bill that would alter the way religious organizations share financial information.

And already, an affiliate has taken up a Convocation message, the affiliate’s board has approved a plan, and action is under way. Tony Wiggins reports for VOTF Bridgeport, CT under Regional News.

The Vineyard has documented clearly at least two facts in nearly three years of publishing: Our work is of the long-haul variety AND there is always good news, mixed in with the setbacks and intransigencies of particular situations. It is vital for all of the workers “in the vineyard,” as well as our thousands of readers, to hear the positive. Please continue to share your progress, no matter how small it may seem to you – in the case of Church reform, we will trumpet the smallest rising tide! Send your comments, inquiries, and news to pthorp.ed@votf.org and please know in advance how very much your correspondence means to all of us.

PLT

Inside NATIONAL NEWS

• Convocation speeches and working group material are on our web site; excellent Convocation coverage in audio and video tapes, CDs and DVDs is available at www.resurrectiontapes.com; and add this Convocation vignette to your Convocation memories - where was Aimee Hairamimi on Friday night of the Convocation weekend? (See the hard-copy July 29 issue of National Catholic Reporter commentary on the Indianapolis Convocation and VOTF’s Many Hands Many Hearts initiative.)
• A national model for working with your state legislature is emerging in Boston, MA. See Regional News for activity around the Sen. Marian Walsh bill and watch future issues of the Vineyard for more details on the “how” from interim press manager John Moynihan.
• VOTF vice president Kris Ward is looking ahead to the November USCCB meeting and reports that Task Force for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is back at work.
• A brief update from VOTF Executive Director Ray Joyce on office changes; office volunteer opportunities abound! Contact Ruth Kiley at rkiley@votf.org
• Note: “Twist of Faith” – the Academy Award-nominated documentary is the powerful story of Tony Comes, a firefighter from Toledo, Ohio, who confronts the trauma of boyhood sexual abuse by a Catholic priest. This film may be coming to your area soon. Check out the schedule.

Sunday October 23, 2005. Regional event with far-reaching implications: The Boston College initiative “Church in the 21st Century” is sponsoring a presentation of a study of Voice of the Faithful. Details under Regional News/Calendar Notes and at the BC web site.

Inside REGIONAL NEWS

• Massachusetts State Sen. Marian Walsh is making history on Beacon Hill as author of legislation that would require the Church to open its books. Boston Area VOTF members were among the panelists who spoke at the hearing yesterday. See the bill’s summary, links to recent coverage and a list of VOTF participants.
• Fr. Bob Bowers honored by many for S/spirited leadership when it was needed most.
• CALENDAR Notes: Seacoast Affiliates, MA continue their Faith Formation series in collaboration with Boston College; VOTF Upper Falmouth, Cape Cod, MA is planning for a future with fewer priests – their panel discussion is open to all; Boston College “Church in the 21st Century” presents “Voice of the Faithful: Findings from a Study of a Social Movement within the Catholic Church”
• East Lyme, CT VOTFers do not find a “Christian imperative” in their bishop’s non-response to the sexual abuse crisis, so lay people have moved to Plan B – going public in their New London, CT newspaper; VOTF Winchester’s survivor support initiative is back with a selection of Christmas cards – if you didn’t pick them up at the Convocation, you can order them now; the VOTF Cincinnati DVD that impressed so many in Indianapolis is available for purchase; VOTF Spokane, WA’s hard work is paying off – in their State House.
• No grass will grow beneath the feet of VOTFers in Bridgeport, CT. They have taken a convocation idea and are “running” with it.
• The death of a priest by suicide in Wisconsin shatters a community.
• Archbishop Levada of San Francisco, CA was preparing to leave San Francisco for his new post when he was served a subpoena.
• A group of Maine VOTFers reports on a recent initiative.

Commentary – “Reconfiguring a Relationship” by Maria Rodrigues

Next issue: Council reports on their work since the Convocation; what new, parish connection emerged in Indianapolis?; update on the VOTF Boston, MA presence at the Boston State House judiciary hearings on August 10; and a new spin on lay accountability – a Donut Rebellion!!?? and VOTF Maine reports on their meeting with Bishop Malone

National News

Report from Kris Ward, Chair, Charter Task Force

The members of the Voice of the Faithful Task Force for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People have re-assembled for a review of the revised Charter passed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at its June 2005 meeting and awaiting Vatican approval or disapproval before it goes into effect as the revised Charter.

The anticipated time that we will learn of the Vatican’s decision regarding the “recognitio” is the November 2005 meeting of the Bishops of the United States.

The members of this Task Force are Pat Gomez (MA), Tom Myles (NY), Jim Jenkins (CA), and Kris Ward (OH). This group plans to work in cooperation with the VOTF Protecting our Children Working Group. Stay tuned to the Vineyard for updates and suggested action items.

A Note from VOTF Executive Director Ray Joyce
rjoyce@votf.org

As you know, this movement of the spirit is about change, in this case, for the sake of our children as well as survivors, families of victims, priests, lay religious and ultimately the renewal of our Church. VOTF is also going through change itself as it has evolved from its Boston founding to a national organization with a worldwide reach. With the recent election of a national representative council and some staff turnover, we are transitioning to best meet our goals and mission statement. We're hiring a new Communications Manager, a Development Officer and an Office Manager (see below). We're also implementing a unified database and enhancing our IT support, which will improve communications and efficiencies at all levels. I'm confident these changes and new investments will ensure the future success of our mission. I welcome your suggestions of changes we can implement in the national office.

Following are the job descriptions for the Development, Communications and Office Manager positions Ray notes above. All positions are at our Newton, MA office. To apply for either position email your resume, cover letter and salary history to:
Ray Joyce, Executive Director, Voice of the Faithful, at rjoyce@votf.org or mail to Ray Joyce, Executive Director, Voice of the Faithful, PO Box 423, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464. No phone calls please.

Development Officer (Full time)

Voice of the Faithful is looking for a Development Officer to help lead fundraising efforts to finance expanding programs and services worldwide.

The ideal candidate for this position is a professional who has a proven track record in the following areas:

• annual fund solicitations through direct mail fundraising, donor acquisition programs, and phoneathons;
• maintenance and expansion of a major gift program, including prospect identification, cultivation of existing donors, and solicitation;
• foundation proposal writing;
• and working with a volunteer fundraising committee

Familiarity with Donor Perfect or similar development software programs preferred.

Communications Manager (Full time)

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager needs to be equally comfortable promoting a press release to the media and writing copy for a promotional brochure or the web. The ideal candidate will:

• maintain regular contact with local, national and international media covering issues involving the Catholic Church;
• write press releases, press statements and op-ed pieces, frequently on short deadlines;
• develop communications for our members and potential members, including email blasts, short brochures, website copy, advertisements, etc.;
• and work with the Development Officer, Executive Director, volunteers and consultants to develop strategies for growing membership in Voice of the Faithful and awareness and support for the organization’s work among Catholics.

Office Manager (pt 32 hours/5 days a week)

Reporting directly to Executive Director, the Office Manager is responsible for day-to-day administrative activities related to financial, personnel, legal, IT, physical plant and special projects, as well as the training and supervision of volunteers. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned office administrator able to fill the following needs:

• implement and oversee standard procedures for purchase orders, supplies inventory, timesheets, filing, mail, and general organizational needs;
• recruitment, management, training and delegation of volunteers for a variety of tasks including phone reception, order fulfillment, data management, fundraising research, event planning, etc.;
• act as liaison between office staff and IT vendor to help resolve computer-related issues;
• ability to draft, finalize and/or proofread all forms of correspondence;
• managing a variety of assignments, working well under pressure and deadlines.

For all these positions excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills are essential. The ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers is key. These positions also requires expertise in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook, internet savvy, as well as strong general computer knowledge.

Convocation Notes

"Feed my sheep.” John 21:1-19

Thanks to Alice Campanella from the VOTF National Office for providing the following gem.

Fifty-six people who had participated in the Many Hand, Many Hearts training during the past year got together for dinner on Friday night in Indianapolis. It was the end of a challenging, busy and productive day that covered the training gamut with two rounds of training sessions. We were tired but energized and looking forward to unwinding together before the Saturday program. We went to a nearby Italian restaurant and were served family style. After the meal, there was a good deal of food left over. (Some of us wondered if Aimee planned it that way!) Aimee spoke to the restaurant management and said she wanted ALL the leftovers. One or two of us reminded Aimee that it wouldn’t keep very well in a hotel room, wouldn’t travel well, etc., etc. We had no idea what she had in mind.

Aimee then asked for individual containers and we divided the chicken, pasta and garlic bread among about fifteen containers. The restaurant provided us with plastic knives and forks and told us about an alley where the homeless congregate. Aimee had decided that we would feed as many of the area homeless as we could. So Aimee, Rita (from Pittsburg), Gerry (from Louisiana) and I set off from the restaurant with shopping bags in search of the homeless, not knowing exactly where we would find anyone. We didn’t have to go far, though. Less than a block from the restaurant, we came upon two or three of the homeless sitting on street corners. They gratefully accepted the meals and asked where we were going. We told them we’d been told about an alley on Constitution Avenue and one of the men warned us, “Nice ladies like you shouldn’t go there at night.”

When we got to the alley there were about fifteen people there, lying on the sidewalk on both sides of the alley. Many of them had their belongings tucked closely around them, getting ready for sleep. We approached each person and if they weren’t already asleep, we asked them if they would like dinner. Each of these people accepted the meal politely and gratefully. It was a very humbling and gratifying experience.

As we left the alley, we looked back and saw about half the alley population sitting up happily consuming their meal.

The processional for Mass on Saturday evening continued a VOTF tradition at multi-regional and multi-parish gatherings - affiliates with their parish banners.
Margaret Roylance, Caroline Troy and Bob Ott making music for our liturgy.	The now-“famous” conclusion of Mass on Saturday evening. Celebrant Fr. Bill Munshower and VOTF secretary Gaile Pohlhaus leaving the altar hand-in-hand to the recessional “We Are Called”

• The “Faithful Voices” video, produced by VOTF Cincinnati and so well received in Indianapolis, is available for purchase from the National office. Call Ruth Kiley at 617-558-5252. See the June issue of In the Vineyard for more details.
• John and Mary Lou Bowen provided some excellent coverage of the convocation for a regional newspaper The Republican.

Marian Walsh legislation gets a boost from Boston Area VOTF: Yesterday, Boston Area VOTF members participated in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the State House hearing on Bill 1074; the bill, authored by Massachusetts State Senator Walsh, would require religious organizations to disclose financial information now required of all other nonprofit organizations. A summary of the bill and links to current press coverage follow:

• Boston Globe, 8/8/05 Bill would_force church to disclose its finances

The legislation would require religious organizations to:

1. File annual financial reports with the Attorney General;
2. File certificates of solicitation with the Attorney General;
3. File a corporate certificate with the Secretary of State; and
4. Require all public charities to list each parcel of real property owned anywhere as part of their annual financial report.

The legislation will assist the Attorney General in his historic responsibility to represent the public interest in the proper use and solicitation of charitable funds, which includes the responsibility to ensure that charities are meeting donors’ expectations, that charitable donations are not diverted or wasted, and that charities are acting as responsible stewards of their assets. It will also provide more accountability to the public – assisting them in making choices about which charities to support.

Law review articles show that prior to the 1950’s, most state Attorneys General did not supervise or regulate the administration of public charities by statute. When existing regulatory schemes were enacted, religious organizations were generally exempt for political reasons, but “neither reason nor common sense can justify making one class of public funds accountable and another exempt.” See 105 U. Pa. L. Rev. 1044 (1957).

[This legislation has the support of the MA Secretary of State, 11 state senators, and 22 state representatives.]

VOTF Bridgeport, CT is poised for “takeoff” on a Convocation-generated initiative. Tony Wiggins reports:

The Bridgeport, CT. VOTF Board met and agreed on an "action" item as a result of attendance at the Indianapolis Working Groups. The Bridgeport Board's "action" item was to concentrate on National Proposal #6 advocating election of bishops and bishops councils. The proposed action would involve a "simulated bishop election." This would be a dress rehearsal, should our diocesan bishop’s seat become vacated. The purpose would be education of the laity, as well as identifying practical, down to earth steps to be taken, when the future Church approves election of bishops by laypersons, priests, deacons, and religious.

The Bridgeport VOTF Board named a skeleton committee of three board members for this action. Less than a week later, at a general meeting of our affiliate, nearly 100 of our members voted overwhelmingly in favor of going forward with this action.

Our committee, chaired by Peg Mooney and Joe O'Callaghan, has planned to kick off our Simulated Bishop Election Campaign at our early September monthly meeting, holding a prayer service, followed by open discussion of the action project among members, and closing with the whole group "commissioning" the committee in its duties.

The "Diocesan Synod Committee" was enlarged to eight people at this meeting and is scheduled to meet this week to put together a plan and timetable.

“Twist of Faith” is playing nationwide: For Illinois, Oregon, Indiana, Missouri and Washington show times and locations, click here.

From Paul Kendrick - A small group of VOTF members in Maine who identify themselves as the St. Ignatius Group organized a press conference at the Diocese of Portland Chancery on July 26th. A letter, signed by three mothers whose children were sexually abused by priests, was to be hand-delivered to Bishop Malone – the bishop was away on vacation. The letter told Bishop Malone to make public the names of 25 priests who have been accused of abusing minors. The mothers told the bishop that we can't protect children if we don't know who to protect them from. VOTF members from Maine and the Boston area (including Marge Bean, Chairperson VOTF Survivor Support) and other survivors' advocates attended the press conference. Three press and media outlets provided coverage.

On Sunday, August 7th, the St. Ignatius group began the first of what may be many weekly vigils at the Cathedral Church in Portland where the bishop is the pastor. The vigil will continue each Sunday morning until the bishop releases the names of all priests who have been accused of abusing minors. Two people will stand in silent vigil each week.

Meanwhile, VOTF Maine has had a meeting with Bishop Malone and found points of agreement and hope. Details will follow in the next issue of In the Vineyard.

The Parish Voice office wishes to highlight VOTF Spokane, WA.
The following was provided by Val Pember:

• We have lobbied for new sexual abuse legislation for the past three sessions and we've gone to Olympia to testify at the hearings many times. The legislators are slowly seeing the light, because we now have a mandatory reporting law in effect. It took three years to pass it.
• We are also working on eliminating the Statute of Limitations on Child sex abuse. We hope to solidify this bill during the next session of the legislature.
• Among our best efforts has been a newsletter that has been sent out to over a hundred households on the West Coast informing them of what is happening, not only in our diocese but globally, regarding the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Many of the recipients send these newsletters on to their friends and family.

In 2002 a crisis of historic dimensions was exposed: Catholic bishops in the U.S. were compromised by revelations of widespread cover-ups of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The impact of this scandal was acutely felt in Boston. In response, a lay-founded social movement calling itself Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) was formed. Within two years it had spread to all four regions of the country and to several foreign nations. This symposium discusses sociological findings about VOTF’s origins, its national membership, persistence, and possibilities for the future.

A. Lay Catholic Responses to the Scandal and Cover-up: Class, Education, Age and Ethnicity

1. Why St. John’s of Wellesley?
2. VOTF Founders and Leaders: A Portrait a.
   • Deep Roots in Catholic culture: The role of Catholic parents and schools b.
   • Deep Roots in American Culture: Professional and Political Ramifications of Being American and Catholic
3. The National Membership of VOTF: A Portrait
4. Comparing VOTF and the General Population of American Catholics:

Presentations*
Dr. Michele Dillon, University of New Hampshire
Dr. Nancy T. Ammerman, Boston University

B. VOTF as a Social Movement within the Catholic Church

1. The Emergence of VOTF
2. The Growth of VOTF
3. VOTF in the Context of the Catholic Church as Institution

Presentations*:
Rev. Dr. Robert Imbelli, Boston College
Dr. Mary Hines, Emmanuel College

C. VOTF and its Future 2.

1. Two Social Movement Scholars review the findings

Presentations*
Dr. John McCarthy, Penn State University
Dr. William Gamson, Boston College

Rev. Joseph Appleyard, S.J., Boston College will serve as the moderator. •

• Each presentation will begin with an overview of the findings by Dr. William V. D’Antonio and Dr. Anthony J. Pogorelc, S.S. of The Catholic University of America.

VOTF Seacoast Affiliates, MA continue their Faith Formation series in collaboration with Boston College. “The Living Christ and We, His Disciples” will take place Sunday evenings September 25, 2005 to April 9, 2006. Mo Donovan is happy to send along information and details provided in an excellent brochure. Contact Mo at maujane@gis.net. Speakers include Revs. Michael Himes and James Keenan and Dr. Mary Ann Hinsdale.

VOTF Falmouth, Upper Cape, MA: You’re invited! On September 11, 2005, "The Church of Tomorrow" will be presented from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morse Pond School, 323 Jones Road, Falmouth, MA. The program is a panel discussion made up of clergy, religious, and laity to discuss roles and relationships in our Church now and in the coming years as the number of clergy continues to decrease.

Fr. Bob Bowers – Tribute to a Parish Priest Some 300 people, mostly members of VOTF, gathered at St Susanna’s Church in Dedham (MA) on a hot and steamy August night to pay tribute to Fr Bob Bowers. Fr Bowers’ status as a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston has been endangered because of his outspoken criticism of the current parish realignment process. The faithful were there to show their support for his courage and to honor his achievements. Master of Ceremonies was State Senator Jarrett Barrios of Cambridge and speakers represented the many organizations with whom Bowers works. Included were the Chernobyl Children’s Project, Por Cristo, the Women’s Lunch Place, St. Catherine of Sienna parish of Charlestown (as well as the food pantry at St Catherine’s where Bowers held his last assignment. It was a real demonstration of the second goal of Voice of the Faithful – Support Priests of Integrity. Submitted by John Moynihan

COMMENTARY

[Commentary was invited from the archdiocesan office. The office indicated that they would consider writing a commentary from their own perspective. We will publish the archdiocese’s response when we receive it.]

“Reconfiguring” a Relationship: Our Lady of the Presentation School, Brighton, MA
by Maria Rodrigues

Indianapolis recharged our batteries and propels us forward:

• An Implementation Committee is being formed to keep the energy and work of Indianapolis alive and progressing in our movement.
• Debriefing is taking place with members of the program committee, committee chairs and members and Steering Committee of the Indianapolis Convocation to gather as much information as possible about what went right and what went wrong as a storehouse of knowledge for our next national event. This effort includes keeping a good record of our expenses.
• A list serve has been established to continue the good conversations and connections that were made at Indianapolis. To join contact Gaile Pohlhaus at gaile.pohlhaus@villanova.edu

The tyranny of time made it impossible to make these announcements in Indianapolis but our gratitude is nonetheless heartfelt:

• The Carmelite Monastery in Indianapolis provided hosts for our celebration of the Eucharist. This was a gift to us along with those provided by the
• Paulist Center, Boston (the Paulist Center provided the hosts for the first Voice of the Faithful convention 7/20/02) and the wine made and given by our own Steve Sheehan. We thank Donna Doucette for transporting these New England gifts.
• There are many members of Voice of the Faithful who are married to members of Voice of the Faithful. It was my intent in the introduction of our president, Jim Post, to acknowledge all spouses of Voice of the Faithful members those who are members themselves in words of gratitude to Jeannette Post, Jim’s wife. Jeannette is a member of Voice of the Faithful and a founder. Only the Lord knows how much through the Sacrament of Marriage and their lives together Jeannette and Jim Post have given individually and collectively to Voice of the Faithful. We are grateful to them and to all of our married Voice of the Faithful members whose work in this movement is now a binding thread of their marriages. We are also grateful to those spouses who are not registered members of our movement but are very much part of this movement in their staunch, steadfast, and long-suffering support of the many hours their spouses put in on the telephone, at the computers, on cathedral and chancery office steps, at press conferences, at state houses, at meetings and that all important tossing and worrying in the middle of the night. Voice of the Faithful is grateful.
• There is always danger in a thank you list that all will not be noticed and named. From our first grade teachers we know that even if a gesture or action is not seen by human eyes “God sees” and notes. For all that human eyes overlooked and for all that God sees and declares good, Voice of the Faithful acknowledges with gratitude.

- Kris Ward, Convocation Co-chair