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Vigilance at Work
VOTF member Dan Dick has been pursuing the facts of this story for months,
even providing the Vineyard with a copy of the Worcester diocese Code
of Conduct and following up with Church and civil authorities until the “lights
went on.” Here is another astounding chronology of events about a Worcester,
MA priest apprehended for alleged lewd conduct while in Las Vegas a year ago.
All relevant data have finally made it to the public eye – and Bishop
McManus. Once again, the most stunning detail of this episode is the bishop’s
handling of information he had last winter. Go to Worcestervoice.com (this
is not a VOTF site). Kathleen Shaw has been covering the story for the Worcester
Telegram & Gazette at www.telegram.com (subscription required). The
Boston Globe .
In Ohio, SNAP’s
model for grassroots organizing is an inspiration. A
letter was distributed recently literally inviting one and all, excerpted below.
NOVEMBER 9, 2005 EVENT – 3
Important Events (with a pizza supper in the middle)
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 Victims Speak Out (explanation below); 4:00 – 5:00
Go to House of Representatives Members Offices and drop off flyers; 6:30 – 7:30
Candle Light Vigil
FYI: In between events we will meet over Pizza (everyone
buys their own drinks – canteen
machines, we’ll provide the pizza & salad). Anyone else want to
bring brownies or cookies?
Why: The Senate Bill that helps keep kids safe in Ohio and helps victims
heal (Senate Bill 17) passed unanimously in the Senate in March. Since then
the bill has been stalled in the House of Representatives. The bottom line
is that we have been unable to get the chance to bring victim testimony to
the House of Representatives.
On Nov 10 the House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on Senate Bill
17 but they refuse to hear from victims on that day. They claim they will
only hear testimony regarding the Constitutionality of the Bill. We know
that unless the legislators hear voices and experiences of the victims they
won’t vote for the Bill.
Since they won’t allow us to speak to the Committee at their hearings
we plan to hold our own hearings. We will invite all the Representatives
and Senators and their staffs to come to hear the victims. We’re also
inviting all the press so we can publicize that the Representatives aren’t
taking victims’ testimony.
The event will be sponsored by the Ohio Coalition On Sexual Assault, SNAP,
and VOTF. Any one who has been sexually assaulted or cares about victims
will be permitted to speak at the event: this includes survivors, victims,
family members, friends, supporters, educators, therapists, doctors, nurses,
social workers, etc.
It is extremely possible that at the hearing on Thu Nov 10, the legislators
could decide amongst themselves to amend the Bill to make it “constitutional” and
take out the only part of the bill that will help victims and kids (the window).
But it will be extremely difficult for them to do that if we are successful
in getting loads of folks in Columbus and getting some of the victims’ stories
on the news the evening before and in the paper the morning of the hearing.
Please consider calling every legislator starting with Speaker Jon Husted
and letting them know we need their support on SB17.
(If you are able to stay over in Columbus until Nov 10 please plan to do
so. We will silently sit in the chambers while the Judiciary Committee listens
to the testimony on SB 17. Hearing will take place at 9:00 or 9:30 in the
a.m. and probably – no guarantees here – be over before noon.
(Professor Marci Hamilton will be providing testimony for SNAP.) Please keep
in mind though that it is far more important for you to be there on Nov 9
than to attend this hearing. If you can only come one day, please make it
on Nov 9.)
We are holding the “Victims Speak Out” at 2:00 p.m. in the hopes
that some of you who have less than 2 hours to drive will be able to take
just the afternoon off from your jobs and still get to Columbus in time.
But if you can’t take off from work, please come when you get off.
The Candlelight Vigil will end by 7:45 p.m. so that everyone who needs to
drive home that evening can do so and still get home before 10 or 11 p.m.
We’ll send more details soon.
Christy Miller, SNAP Cincinnati Co-Leader, 513 383 2198
Claudia Vercellotti, SNAP Toledo Leader, 419 810 5375 day of event call 419
350-9234
Susan, SNAP Cleveland Leader, 216 210 1243
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747
David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314 566 9790
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