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Making
Lemonade
Jim Post, VOTF president
The legislative defeat of the financial disclosure bill
promoted by Senator Marian Walsh and so many VOTF members
is bitter medicine. But there are several things to remember
before we walk away from the field.
First, VOTF worked with a large and growing number
of remarkably dedicated elected public officials and
their staffs. These relationships will not evaporate
- we will continue to communicate with them about issues
affecting survivors, endangered parish communities,
and the financial and moral integrity of religious
organizations.
Second, VOTF had the benefit of outstanding local leaders
who invested enormous time, energy, and creativity
in this effort. We express our appreciation to John
Hynes, the entire Boston VOTF Steering Committee, John
Moynihan, and the hundreds of dedicated members who
presented the "real face" of VOTF to legislators
throughout the legislative session.
Third, as Bob Morris pointed out elsewhere, the archdiocese
made a formal, public commitment to financial reporting
that would surely not have occurred without the pressure
of the legislative process. Some of us are surely going
to be cynical about Archbishop O'Malley's motives,
or his intentions to follow-through, but our job is
to hold the Archbishop and the in-coming chancellor/CFO
to their public commitments. Ultimately, we may be
disappointed but we should not assume the worst. People
do act in good faith.
Fourth, we learned that other religious organizations
were not prepared to join an effort to establish regulations
that would affect them as well as the Catholic Church.
However, many civilized and useful conversations were
conducted with faith leaders. VOTF cannot go wrong
when we engage in dialogue, demonstrate respect for
those of other faiths, and keep the common good foremost.
Finally, we learned a lot about tactics. We need to
debrief, talk with the experts, and prepare for the
future. Sincere thanks to all who provided such inspired
leadership and focus to this effort.
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