COMMENTARY

A New Day in Atlanta, Georgia
John Dearie

When we met with Wilton Gregory, the new Archbishop of Atlanta, in April 2005, he said he was inclined to allow VOTF to meet in "welcoming parishes" and that he would probably bring the subject of VOTF to the archdiocesan Council of Priests. We waited patiently until September, when we wrote to remind him of his words. That same month, he did bring VOTF to the Council, and a committee of two priests was appointed to meet with and learn more about us. We met with the committee in October, the issue was debated at the Council in December, and at the end of that discussion, the Archbishop announced that he would allow VOTF-Atlanta to meet in parishes where we were welcome. He indicated he wanted the pastors to attend the meetings. The first meeting was held Saturday, February 18th at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Alpharetta, a northern suburb. About twenty-five members attended. Pastor Msgr. David Talley was there, actively participated, and seemed supportive. The survivors present were pleased to finally have an opportunity to meet with a clerical representative of the Archbishop, and pled for counseling and support groups for victims in the area, regardless of where the abuse took place.