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DIOCESE/State Watch
Burlington, VT: The recent record settlement of one abuse case (the
first of 20) in the Vermont diocese has Bishop Matano on the road. Read coverage
in the Argus
Times .
Referring to these “litigious times,” the bishop explained to Vermont’s Catholics
why the “statewide Diocese of Burlington, fearing the costs of 19 priest misconduct
lawsuits against it, just placed its 128 local parishes in charitable trusts.” The Rutland
Herald reported
SNAP’s
response.
VOTF New York: The VOTF NY affiliate is planning an afternoon program, Parish Encounter II, for Saturday, May 20, 1-5 p.m., St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 869 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, in response to the church closings/mergers proposed by the Archdiocese. Clergy and laity from affected parishes as well as archdiocesan leaders have been invited to this open forum. The program features presentations on do’s and don’ts in parish closings, building a church without walls, the role of lay ministry in the parish of the future, and the impact of realignment on New York’s financial health. All are welcome; register in advance at www.votf-nyc.org.
How VOTF Northern Virginia is using its voice: VOTF Northern Virginia
offered its own progress report to Bishop Loverde on the Arlington diocese’s
compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
To read the affiliate’s
findings, click here (PDF).
Trenton, NJ: Financial accountability at work – The Diocese of Trenton,
NJ acted swiftly once it learned of Fr. Hughes’ financial appropriations – played
out over seven years. According to the Asbury Park Press, “The Rev.
Joseph W. Hughes spent money on two BMW sports cars and season tickets for
the Giants. He bought dinners at fancy restaurants. He took vacations that
included stays in luxurious hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach and
the Elbow Beach Club Resort in Bermuda, according to authorities. And he used
Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church funds to support that lavish lifestyle, law
enforcement officials have said.” Read
more.
Colorado: A devastating partnership of Catholic bishops and insurance
companies overpowered the considerable efforts of Bishop Gumbleton, SNAP, survivors
and their supporters to ensure the demise of Colorado’s bill (HB 1090) to
protect children. See the story in
the Colorado Springs Gazette through
the National Catholic Reporter Abuse Tracker (May 9).
Chicago, IL: VOTF Chicagoland Affiliates Council
chair Janet Hauter’s statement on the May 12 meeting with Cardinal
George and Jimmy Lago, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago:
After weeks of preparation based on the two independent reports done on the Chicago tragedy (the Defenbaugh and Childers reports), eight members of the Chicagoland Affiliates Council (CAC) representing five affiliates, met with Cardinal George on May 12, 2006. The discussion was to have been an hour long but lasted over two hours.
We viewed this meeting as introductory while we discussed many issues contained in these two reports. Vigorous dialogue ensued. Problem areas cited in the reports were openly discussed and information exchanged. It was clear that there were information gaps on both sides and that progress was already being made toward filling in those gaps.
We viewed this meeting as a first step to exchange information and build a bridge toward mutual understanding where relationships could be developed for future dialogue. We were asked to craft a topical agenda for a future meeting and we expect a date will be set soon. Based on the candor of the meeting and the invitation, we viewed it as a step in the right direction and look forward to a follow-up meeting with more tangible results.
- For more details on the May 12 VOTF Chicago and Cardinal George meeting,
including the agenda and participants, click here. (PDF)
Cardinal George’s failure to remove an abusive priest from ministry has alarmed a Church-wide community and sparked renewed interest in the Charter to Protect Children and Young People. Recently, the Chicago
Tribune reported that “Cook County prosecutors have added two more counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse to the charges facing Rev. Daniel McCormack, a once popular Roman Catholic priest already awaiting trial.”
California: VOTF Boston’s Ruth Moore notes the following recent item from Associated Press: "The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere in a California prosecutor's efforts to obtain confidential counseling records kept by the Catholic Church on two priests under investigation for molesting children." The VOTF Boston newsletter added, “Why is this important? It means that the Supreme Court will not interfere with efforts to obtain similar records from the church in sexual abuse cases across the nation. Potentially this should make it easier for survivors to have their day in court.”
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