VOTF - In the Vineyard

October 2004 – Third Anniversary of In the Vineyard and 1000 pages of documented voice! Thank you!

Next issue: November 11

In this Issue:

NATIONAL/International NEWS

Communications – As VOTF says “au revoir” to Steve Krueger, Jim Post announces the beginning of a nationwide search for a new, full-time Executive Director. A search committee is being formed, chaired by Mark Mullaney and will begin its work immediately. Read office news. Steve’s tenure as Executive Director of VOTF speaks for itself in his own words, as well as those of VOTF president Jim Post.
The USCCB General Assembly November meeting and the future of the National Review Board – Laity: Keeping Our Voice. See commentary from VOTF president Jim Post. Archbishop Harry J. Flynn, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse of the USCCB announced the beginning of the review process for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which the bishops adopted in June, 2002. See the USCCB press release at www.usccb.org under Communications.
In this issue, we welcome our first ad. Commonweal magazine and VOTF are "trading spaces" in the mutual endeavor of reaching more Catholics. Since its founding in 1924, Commonweal has stood for an "America that has much to learn from Catholicism." We agree and welcome this experiment.

Elections for national officers: all registered VOTF members are invited to nominate qualified candidates. Read more in Election News. Are you registered to vote?
We have a site! The VOTF National Convention 2005 to be held in Indianapolis, IN. Read more.
Parish closings: questions and a need for creative thinking continue. VOTF member Julie Rafferty has identified a few telling web sites offering other perspectives on this painful issue. In rural Los Angeles County, a church is run by a nun, appointed by the Diocese. There are more parishes than you might think under the leadership of someone other than a priest. See Site-Seeing
Working Group report from Goal #2 – supporting our priests has been an education for all.
Affiliate News – VOTF NH want their say in court; VOTF NJ members invited to new bishop’s installation; Boise, ID VOTF are welcome and active in their diocese; and VOTF Atlanta is on the Web. Read more about our affiliates' activities.
VOTF now has 211 affiliates worldwide – newcomers are from Kentucky, Florida and Canada. LINK to Parish Voice News
Council minutes – Council representatives passed overwhelmingly the Episcopal Accountability resolution. Read more and let us know what you think at leaderpub@voiceofthefaithful.org
VOTF Christmas cards to go on sale - The Winchester, MA Area VOTF is again selling Christmas cards in packages of 12 for $12. There are four designs painted by artists in the VOTF group. All proceeds will benefit abuse survivors. The affiliate hopes to beat last year’s sales - $4100! Please visit www.votfwinchester.org to view the cards, and print an order form. Contact Bob Morris at rmorrisvotf@aol.com if you have any questions.
A CT friend has some advice worth pondering – availing ourselves of some guided reflection on incarnation theology. Read Something to Think About
Read the October 11 National Catholic Reporter review of Keep the Faith, Change the Church – the genesis story of Voice of the Faithful written by Jim Muller and Charles Kenny at Read the Review and THEN ORDER THE BOOK.

Regional

After weeks of parish sit-ins and a general public outcry regarding parish closings, Boston Archbishop O’Malley charges an External Review Committee to review the process. See VOTF reaction.
- One of our steadiest survivor supporters brings all that he continues to learn from survivors to another population of hurting Catholics – parishioners whose churches are closing; Steve Sheehan’s remarks appear in Letters to the Editor. Another correspondent is concerned for the fate of lay employees of closing parishes.
Register now for the New England regional conference in Worcester, MA on November 13, 2004. View program details under Events, Etc. East Region. To register, click here.
- Fr. James Scahill will receive a Priest of Integrity Award at the New England Regional Conference on Nov. 13. Bob Morris and John Bowen call Fr. Scahill “an example of personal decency and spiritual conviction” Read more.
Dick Ryan’s editorial in the Long Island section of Newsday said “Long Island Catholics hold the key to Reforming the Church.” The full article is archived via subscription at www.newsday.com. On September 19, the Long Island supplement of the New York Times also spoke on behalf of the laity in “Hear Their Voices” and it is archived at www.nytimes.com
The sad story of Bishop Dupre’s (Springfield, MA diocese) indictment is available here.
Bishop Howard Hubbard of the Albany diocese in NY will publish a diary of his recent ad limina visit with the Pope at www.evangelist.org/

Events, Etc.

Paulist Center Adult Education presentation on 10/19 “STRUGGLING TO STAY ALIVE IN THE CHURCH” with Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D. on Tuesday, 7-8:30 in the Paulist Center Library, Boston, MA. For details click here.
John Allen is back! The NCR Vatican correspondent and CNN Vatican analyst will speak at the St. Eulalia’s VOTF on Sunday, October 17 at 7 pm. His talk: “The Sexual Abuse Crisis and the Role of the Laity: The View from Rome.” St. Eulalia’s is at 50 Ridge St., Winchester, MA. Contact Rmorrisvotf@aol.com for directions. If you can’t make this one, John is also speaking at Boston College on Monday evening. See Events, Etc. for details.
November 7 – A Faith Formation Program for Adult Christians continues. Sponsored by the Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of The North Shore, Lynn and Seacoast Areas in collaboration with Boston College, Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Read more in Events, Etc.
Sunday, November 14, 2004 - “Are the Wounds Healing?” VOTF president Jim Post will be a panelist at a Symposium sponsored by the Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of the Baltimore-Washington Region. See Events, Etc., for details.
December 11-12. The Mind/Body Institute offers VOTF members a substantial discount on an upcoming two-day event, “The Enhanced Importance of the Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer.” Details at Events, Etc.
Sunday, December 12, 1-9:30. Come join Fr. Laurence Freeman, world renowned expert on the history and practice of contemplative prayer, for a day of quiet when you need it most! Location: Upper Noyes Hall, Andover Newton Theological School. This retreat is co-sponsored by The Empty Bell, Andover Newton Theological School, and the RUAH Spirituality Institute. For additional information, go to EVENTS.
Join Voice of the Faithful and make your voice count; donate to Voice of the Faithful and keep that voice alive.

Priests’ Support Working Group

From Clare Keane:

The second goal of VOTF, supporting priests of integrity, gives rise to more discussion and questions than solutions. The Supporting Priests Working Group is currently responding to an increasingly complex array of issues facing priests. These men, who have been, throughout our lives, the visible messengers of Christ among us, now look to us for compassion and action.

Sounding boards, surveys, and priests panel discussions have made us more aware of what it is like to be a priest during the age of revelations of sexual abuse: suffering from low morale, plagued with doubts about their future, subjected to innuendo and harassment in the press and from those who were once their staunchest allies in the faith community, and seeing the numbers of worshippers decline as the scandal causes more defections. Fearing unwarranted allegations and summary dismissals, these men have become the victims of what some have called the "second wave of abuse." This abuse arises from understandably outraged but unthinking lay sources, but also from their own hierarchy. The lack of communication or compassion, indeed of any cohesive policy of fraternal outreach from bishops to priests, has produced in many of them a sense of being cast adrift. Aside from personal suffering, practical considerations have added to priests' distress: parish closings, uncertainty about future financial and professional resources, potential threats to health insurance and retirement funds.

What can we do to assure our priests of our support and actually alleviate some of this distress? First, we must spread awareness of their needs, acting as a lay voice on their behalf. Let us make no mistake – supporting priests is totally consistent with the two other goals of VOTF. In invoking fairness and justice for survivors of abuse, we advocate it for all, including priests. Justice for one is justice for all. If we hope to renew our Church through structural change, this includes putting a mechanism in place that ensures the right of priests to dialogue with their superiors, to protect their good name, to have their day in court with all due speed, and to have a say in the future of the institutional Church.

On a local level, we have learned that sometimes the simplest of gestures can be the most effective in reaching out to priests. Along with our ambitious global goal, we can support priests in the most personal of ways, simplistic though they may seem: priest pot-luck suppers, priest appreciation days, care packages, cards and notes of support.

More information about this type of grassroots activities can be found at www.priestsunday.org and www.thankyoufather.org.

As we reach out to priests, let us not forget those who served faithfully for a period of time before leaving ministry to follow the vocation of married life, and who long to be admitted to the community of the ordained to share in that brotherhood of priests they once enjoyed.

Let this be a challenge to all of us to stand with our priests against misguided hostility, fear and the isolation that keeps them from a fulfilling ministry.

Fr. James Scahill to receive VOTF Priest of Integrity Award
Submitted by Bob Morris and John Bowen

Rev. James J. Scahill has shown himself to be a Priest of Integrity in myriad ways as pastor of St Michael's Parish in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Responding to the call of parish members that he stand and work actively for truth and justice, and with the nearly unanimous support of his congregation, Father Scahill withheld from the Diocese of Springfield its share of parish collections unti1 a convicted pedophile was removed from the priesthood and the Church's financial support.

Since taking that initial stand, and facing its repercussions, Father Scahill has persevered, broadening his attempts to assist abuse victims and champion their cause, stating repeatedly that the Church cannot be made whole until the victims have received the compassion and justice they deserve.

Refusing to let myopic obedience obstruct or overcome his moral integrity, or to be cowed by fear of reprisal, Father Scahill has stood nearly alone in his diocese, an example of personal decency and spiritual conviction. He has challenged the hierarchy and cooperated with legal authorities to pursue justice and has worked with the media to spread truth. He has borne the public rebuke of his bishop and the silent rejection of his peers, drawing strength and support from lay Catholics and women religious in the parish, the diocese and beyond who share his vision of what the Church should be and must become.

VOTF National News

VOTF president Jim Post on the future of the National Review Board – Keeping our Voice

As the calendar moves toward November, preparations are being made for the next gathering of bishops at the USCCB meeting in Washington, DC. This meeting promises to be momentous in at least one respect: A changing of the guard among members of the National Review Board.

The NRB is one of the best responses from the bishops to the clergy sexual abuse scandal. They wisely drew on the talents of the laity – women and men – to shape a mechanism that would ensure the accountability of procedures established under the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Through turbulent times, the NRB members were steadfast in their commitment. The public leadership of Governor Frank Keating, the first chair, and Judge Anne Burke, who succeeded him as interim chair, provoked some criticism, but earned much respect from bishops, clergy, and laity. Judge Burke, in particular, has been both candid and passionate in her efforts to preserve the board’s public credibility. The visible roles played by Robert Bennett and William Burleigh served the board and the Church well during the past two years. Every member of the board has earned the respect of Catholics through their dedicated service.

Now, the board is changing. A number of the most visible members are stepping down as planned, and new members will be named to continue the work. We are hopeful that equally gifted women and men will succeed those who are leaving the Board.

Judge Burke emphasized that the NRB and Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse recommended a slate of 9 nominees that included no vowed religious (priests, brothers, sisters). It is important that our bishops understand the importance of a “lay” review board. They chose to name it; they chose to grant it authority; and they have used its work to legitimize their actions in response to the crisis. The bishops must understand that to compromise the meaning of “lay” review board, even on a technicality, is to compromise some of the integrity that body has earned. That risks the most elusive of assets in the current environment – trust.

As the bishops’ prepare to gather, please share your perspective on this matter by letter or other means. The appointment of new members to the NRB is a critical step in the process of repairing and rebuilding trust and confidence in the Church. It should be done the right way.

Excerpts from the NRB charge as called for by the USCCB

To Ensure the Accountability of Our Procedures

ARTICLE 8. To assist in the consistent application of these principles and to provide a vehicle of accountability and assistance to dioceses/eparchies in this matter, we authorize the establishment of an Office for Child and Youth Protection at our national headquarters. The tasks of this Office will include (1) assisting individual dioceses/eparchies in the implementation of "safe environment" programs (see Article 12 below), (2) assisting provinces and regions in the development of appropriate mechanisms to audit adherence to policies, and (3) producing an annual public report on the progress made in implementing the standards in this Charter. This public report shall include the names of those dioceses/eparchies which, in the judgment of this Office, are not in compliance with the provisions and expectations of this Charter. This Office will have staffing sufficient to fulfill its basic purpose. Staff will consist of persons who are expert in the protection of minors; they will be appointed by the General Secretary of the Conference.

ARTICLE 9. The work of the Office for Child and Youth Protection will be assisted and monitored by a Review Board, including parents, appointed by the Conference President and reporting directly to him. The Board will approve the annual report of the implementation of this Charter in each of our dioceses/eparchies, as well as any recommendations that emerge from this review, before the report is submitted to the President of the Conference and published. To understand the problem more fully and to enhance the effectiveness of our future response, the National Review Board will commission a comprehensive study of the causes and context of the current crisis. The Board will also commission a descriptive study, with the full cooperation of our dioceses/eparchies, of the nature and scope of the problem within the Catholic Church in the United States, including such data as statistics on perpetrators and victims.

ARTICLE 10. The membership of the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse will be reconstituted to include representation from all the episcopal regions of the country.

ARTICLE 11. The President of the Conference will inform the Holy See of this Charter to indicate the manner in which we, the Catholic bishops, together with the entire Church in the United States, intend to address this present crisis.

VOTF National Election News

It is time for the election of Voice of the Faithful's national officers for 2005. This is an invitation to you to take part in the governance of Voice of the Faithful by nominating qualified candidates for the positions of president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary/clerk.

Last year, the Election Committee, with the support of the Representative Council, opened the election to any registered member. The same process will be used again this year - the precedent set by last year's election was reviewed with the Representative Council in September. In the event there is more than one qualified candidate for each position, a primary election is being considered.

You are eligible to nominate a qualified candidate, including yourself, if you are a registered member. If you have not registered yet on the VOTF Web site, we encourage you to do so. Nominations will be accepted through October 21, 2004 9:00pm EST. We will keep you informed of timing of the election period.

An Election Committee will oversee the election. All nominees will be interviewed and screened for their qualifications by a Nominating Committee.

Thank you for taking the time to review this and for participating in this process. Your participation as a member of Voice of the Faithful is an integral part of the processes that will ensure the continued vitality of the organization and movement.

Jim Walsh Acting Election Committee Chairperson

P.S. If you are interested in serving on either the Election Committee or the Nominating please let us know in the space provided on the nominating form (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=36188651608). It is important that we have a nationally representative oversight process.

VOTF OFFICE News

From VOTF president Jim Post

I am pleased to report that a Search Committee is being formed under the leadership of its chairman Mark Mullaney. Mark is a founding member of VOTF and serves as Executive Director of the Mind Body Medical Institute (affiliated with Harvard Medical School). Other members will be named following consultation with the Council Steering Committee.

Additional details will be available shortly. Meanwhile, inquiries can be forwarded to Mark Mullaney at c/o VOTF, P.O. Box 423, Newton MA.

Mark Your Calendars for the VOTF National Convention on July 9-10, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana!

Indianapolis was the unanimous recommendation of the Convention Exploratory Committee, which was formed to investigate and recommend a site and date for a 2005 VOTF Convention. Committee members were: Maria Cleary, Northern NJ; Betty Clermont, Atlanta, GA; Pat Gomez, Concord, MA; Vince Grenough, Louisville, KY; Larry Mulligan, Grand Rapids, MI; John Ryan, Peoria, IL; Marilyn Wells, NW Chicago suburbs, IL; Gaile Pohlhaus, Philadelphia, PA (Rep. Council Steering Committee); and Ann Carroll, Boston, MA (VOTF Treasurer). An important factor in the site selection was the desire to acknowledge that VOTF has become a national (and international!) movement of lay Catholics. Members of the VOTF National Representative Council, which is comprised of affiliate representatives from across the US and abroad, recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of approving the Exploratory Committee’s recommendation.

Convention planning is shifting into high gear. Volunteers are sought (from all corners of VOTF) to serve on a wide range of Convention Planning Committees, including: Program Development (prayer, speakers, breakout sessions, liturgy, and outreach); Promotion/Publicity/Tickets & Communication; Operations (logistics, signage, etc.); Finance (budget, registration, etc.); and Technology. The specific time commitment for each committee will vary, but all will require frequent emailing and regular conference calls. Throughout the convention planning process, additional volunteers will be sought for specific tasks. All VOTF members who are willing to donate their time and talent to planning this wonderful undertaking are urged to contact Ann Carroll (anncarrollvotf@yahoo.com). Monthly updates will appear in each issue of In the Vineyard, so stay tuned!

Parish Voice and Affiliate Updates

From the Parish Voice office

Voice of the Faithful learned recently of SNAP’s award to VOTFer Jim Alvord of Bridgeport, CT VOTF. At SNAP’s mid-Atlantic regional conference, Jim was awarded the Survivor’s Lifeline Award. Mary Ann Keyes, national chair of Parish Voice, made the following announcement:

The Parish Voice team asks all of our members to join us in congratulating Jim Alvord, the Regional Coordinator from the Diocese of Bridgeport, on the occasion of his being recognized for the support he has given to survivors of sexual abuse. The Survivors Lifeline Award was presented to Jim by SNAP at its mid-Atlantic Regional conference on Saturday September 25th at Norwalk Community College.

Jim came to Voice of the Faithful early on. He, Joe O’Callaghan and others began talking about starting an affiliate in June of 2002. Jim attended the National Conference in Boston in July and upon returning to his parish in the Diocese of Bridgeport, he joined other supporters to form a Parish Voice affiliate at St Jerome’s in Norwalk. They had the support of their pastor, but the day after the notice of their first meeting appeared in the bulletin, a parishioner called the chancery in Boston to ask if Cardinal Law approved of Voice of the Faithful. Imagine that!! On August 12, 2002, Jim and the other leaders in his affiliate met with the pastor and two of Bishop Lori’s representatives. They were told they were good people, but could not meet on church property if they were associated with Voice of the Faithful in Boston. Since then, that diocesan affiliate has met in the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk.

Despite the ban in the Diocese of Bridgeport, Jim has continued to work tirelessly to bring Voice of the Faithful to many in Connecticut. Most recently he was part of a team with others from NY and MA who are offering training to others in grassroots organizing. Several of the CT group were in Boston two weeks ago for a day of training. Joe O’Callaghan, leader of VOTF in the Diocese of Bridgeport until recently, said of Jim: “He has been a tireless leader and he always reminds us of our first goal. Jim has reached out to a number of survivors and has supported many through all of their struggles. He was involved in helping SNAP get started in CT and has always encouraged members to donate to SNAP.”

We are proud of all that Jim has done in his very public support for survivors and we congratulate him on this wonderful recognition by SNAP!

MORE from Parish Voice:

In an effort to better support our Affiliates, the Parish Voice National Team has reorganized. Mary Ann Keyes will be the contact for the Central and East regions, Suzy Nauman is the contact person for the South and Alice Campanella is the contact for the West. If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person for your region. Keep the faith, change the Church.
Alice Campanella a.campanella@verizon.net; acampanella@votf.org
Mary Ann Keyes makeyes@votf.org; makmad@comcast.net
Suzy Nauman snauman@votf.org; snuz24@yahoo.com
On Sept. 11, 2004 the MA-NY Hands, MA-NY Hearts Leadership Development Team held a day-long training in grassroots community organizing for fifty VOTF leaders at St. John’s in Wellesley, MA , birthplace of VOTF. Most attendees were from MA and NY, and one third were leaders from across the U.S., including four from CA and one from WA. The collective energy and enthusiasm from those gathered was wonderfully invigorating. What a thrill it was to spend time with so many members we had previously only met via email or telephone! This was the first of what we hope will be many such trainings over the next year. Stay tuned for training opportunities in a U.S. region near you!
In the month of September we brought on three more affiliates. A hearty welcome to Northern Kentucky Voice of the Faithful (Diocese of Covington), VOTF Venice, FL Area, and from Canada (ta-dah!) VOTF Prince George. This brings us to 211 Parish Voice Affiliates worldwide!!

VOTF EAST

VOTF Winchester, MA VOTF for August and September 2004
Submitted by Bob Morris

The Winchester Area VOTF continued its weekly meetings throughout August and September. Numerous guest speakers discussed a wide array of issues facing our Church. William Gavin of the Gavin Group discussed the ongoing audits of dioceses that he oversees for the Office of Child and Youth Protection of the USCCB. Abuse survivor David K. O’Regan described his painful journey of coming to grips with his abuse over forty years ago. Patricia Hayes, a pastoral associate in rural Vermont, described the significant role she plays in leading several parishes. Two deacons and their wives discussed the role of the diaconate, present and future. James Keenan, S.J., of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, delivered a paper on the role of the priesthood. Last but by no means least, Marina Wangh performed a one-woman play she wrote regarding the abuse crisis, portraying four persons whom she had interviewed (a survivor, a priest, the parent of a survivor, a therapist).

Our group is also readying for sale its Christmas cards, which raised $4100 for survivors last year. Please visit www.votfwinchester.org to view the cards, and print an order form. Contact Bob Morris at rmorrisvotf@aol.com if you have any questions. Other initiatives, such as a new means of supporting priests, and a faith sharing program, are in the works.

Highlights in the coming weeks include talks by John Allen, Vatican Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, author and CNN Vatican analyst in Rome (Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m.); abuse survivor Gary Bergeron (author of Don’t Call Me a Victim) (Monday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.); and Fr. Donald Cozzens, author of The Changing Face of the Priesthood (Thursday, December 2, 7:30 p.m.). All meetings are at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester.

VOTF NJ
Submitted by Carole Rogers

We continue to be committed to the education of NJ Catholics and as we began our fall speaker series, more than 120 people turned out to hear an excellent talk by Rev. Anthony Ciorra, new Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Studies at Fordham University. Father Tony spoke about “A Spirituality for Times of Transition” and reminded us that we, like the ancient Israelites, live in desert times. We can also find comfort, he said, in the New Testament account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We need to be humble as we seek answers, have hope as we struggle, and be rooted in Scripture for the journey ahead. Our next two speakers should prove equally enlightening: in October, Dr. Mary Segers of Rutgers University and in November, Father Eugene Lauer of the National Pastoral Life Center.

We are also on the road toward a meeting with our new bishop, Arthur Serratelli. First, two of our members were invited to his installation and then three additional members were invited to a preliminary meeting with the Vicar General, Msgr. Herb Tillyer, and the Director of Communications, Marianna Thompson. We remain hopeful that a meeting with Bishop Serratelli will follow.

At its September meeting, our Structural Renewal Committee undertook two new initiatives. Members are conducting a survey of parishes in three New Jersey dioceses to determine how many have pastoral councils and how those councils function. Members are also investigating models of good parishes, asking if there are alternative effective ways of assuring lay pastoral participation.

Rev. Anthony Ciorra speaks at Assumption Church. Photo by Joe Barrett

VOTF Harvard, MA
Submitted by Joanne Helhowski

St. Theresa, the Little Flower (Worcester diocese) resumed meetings after the summer break. With the start of our third year, in early September, we sponsored our second annual fall mum sale for the benefit of the victim and survivors organization. The fundraiser offers our small parish an opportunity to show their support for the victims of the clergy abuse. It was a huge success and the profits realized enabled us to provide contributions of $400 each to The Linkup and SNAP.

VOTF New Hampshire
Submitted by Anne Coughlin

The state of New Hampshire and the Diocese of Manchester have gone to court over their differences regarding the agreement both signed in December, 2002, which allowed the Diocese to avoid criminal charges for their handling of child sexual abuse allegations. New Hampshire Voice of the Faithful has joined a group of about 30 individuals and groups in filing a motion to intervene in the matter.

Note: We are grateful for Anne’s coverage of events in NH. Because several matters are still pending, we will have fuller coverage from NH in the future. Readers might want to check www.nhvotf.org for ongoing developments and www.bishop-accountability.org. The latter offers a chronology of news coverage by diocese.

VOTF CENTRAL

St. Christopher Parish Voice, Cleveland, OH
Submitted by Fred McGunagle

Donna Albertone, director of the Cleveland Diocese's VIRTUS* program, was describing the 36,000 clergy, parish and school employees and adult volunteers who have taken the diocese's required course in preventing child sex abuse. She spoke at the Sept. 9 meeting of the St. Christopher Parish Voice.

They come reluctantly, grumbling under their breath, she said. “They’re not happy,” Donna Albertone said. “They are told they have to be there – ‘If you want to coach your son’s football team, you have to come.’ But an hour into the session, the Holy Spirit has taken over. They’re there because they’re a mother, a dad, a grandmother. This is information they need as a caregiver. That transformation takes over.”

Starting in January, her staff will begin training children in parish schools and after-school religion classes and will start evening sessions for their parents. VIRTUS has been adopted by many US dioceses following the USCCB Charter revision in November 2002 and the approval of the Norms by the Congregation of for Bishops in December 2002.

(The Diocese of Dallas, Texas, has implemented a diocesan-wide program to educate the community and to prevent incidents of child abuse. This program is called "Safe Environment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse". The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, the Diocese of Austin, Texas, and the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, are in the process of implementing a prevention and education program designed by the National Catholic Risk Retention Group called "Protecting God's Children". Some dioceses that have not yet started their programs are using Cleveland’s as a model.)

The training is not just about clerical abusers, who make up a tiny proportion of child molesters. It’s intended to alert trainees to the warning signs of any predator and teach them how to report them without making llegations. “We view everyone as a potential child abuser,” she said, “and everyone who comes into contact with a child as a protector of that child. Predators love children, and to a predator, love equals sex. It’s very easy for a child molester to slip into a child’s life. The only thing we can do is take away the opportunity to molest.”

The scandal showed that parishes were places where children were particularly vulnerable to abuse. Now, Albertone said, Cleveland parishes have a most thorough protection program.

VIRTUS is the brand name that identifies best practices programs designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote "right doing" within religious organizations. The VIRTUS programs empower organizations and people to better control risk and improve the lives of all those who interact with the Church. The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (National Catholic) created the programs. In March of 1998, National Catholic invited prominent national experts—experts in many disciplines—to discuss these questions at a forum in Washington, D.C. From those discussions, the initiative for the VIRTUS programs was created. The National Catholic Board of Directors selected an Ad Hoc Committee to oversee development of the programs. The Ad Hoc Committee was assisted by a steering committee of nationally known experts and program and service providers. Information about the VIRTUS program, including warning signs of predators and tips for protecting children, is available at www.virtus.org.

VOTF Boise, ID
Submitted by Darlyne Pape

We continue to grow slowly within our one affiliate here in Boise and we continue to enjoy a very positive relationship with Bishop Driscoll and the diocese. During the past few weeks, I was asked to write an article on VOTF for our parish newsletter and we had an exhibit table at the recent Fall Religious Education Conference where we distributed materials and answered questions. John Bieter, the co-founder of our affiliate, will be teaching an eight-week course on Church History that will be sponsored by seven local parishes. In addition, I continue to serve on the Review Board and have been asked to sit on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. In July, we sent letters of support to all the priests receiving new assignments* within the Diocese. We meet monthly at one of the local parish centers.

*Some priests in our diocese routinely get new assignments in July; they serve 6 years in a parish, and then consult with the bishop if they want to remain in the same parish for another 6 years or accept a new assignment. This is the usual procedure. However, because of the decline in the number of priests, adjustments need to be made outside the 6 + 6 model. Also, we have a large Hispanic population in certain areas and that necessitates assigning clergy in those areas who are bilingual. A small number of re-assignments are necessitated by priests leaving on sabbatical or leaving the priesthood all together.

VOTF Detroit, MI
Submitted by Judy Szczesny

At our May meeting, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton spoke on Vatican II and the role of the Laity. In June, we had Dr. Carol Crowley speak on the "Lifelong Effects of Sexual Abuse." Dr. Crowley counsels the abused. A member of SNAP was at the meeting, and spoke of his ordeal, as well as a priest/chaplain Fr. Don Worthy, who has tried to talk to the cardinal and bishops in the archdiocese, about the crisis; Fr. Worthy feels that they really do not fully understand the extent of the damage done to the victims and to the Church as a whole. As Father Worthy says "They just don't get it."

In July we had two priests, Fr. Patrick Casey and Fr. Tom O'Brien SJ., speak on the "Effects of the Abuse Crisis." We had thought it would be a talk on how the abuse crisis affected them, but they were more interested in how it affected us, the laity.

We plan on having a Healing Service at Manresa, the Jesuit Retreat House, in Feb. 2005. It will be in a meeting room and modeled after a Healing Service done in St. Paul, MN. We are hoping to have priests, nuns, brothers and possibly a bishop there to apologize for their ordeal.

VOTF SOUTH

VOTF Atlanta, GA
Submitted by John Dearie

The officers of VOTF-Atlanta were busy during the summer working with a professional to create a new, portal-type website. It is now complete at www.votf-atlanta.org and includes an interactive forum labeled "Atlanta Catholic Voices" where local Catholics can voice their thoughts and concerns. A moderator will oversee the site.

Our meetings continued through the summer but September’s meeting had to be cancelled due to a tropical storm.

Meetings are planned for October 12th and November 8th. In October, we plan to show the video on the VOTF Mass on the Common, and are looking for a guest speaker for November.

Council Minutes

VOTF REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MINUTES

September 18, 2004 at St. John the Evangelist, Wellesley, MA

Opening Prayer

Lord, inspire us today with the qualities of good leadership.
Give us insight to make wise decisions, integrity to face the truth,
courage to make difficult choices and
compassion for the needs of others.
Make us a model of justice and honor for the world and
let us never forget that our job is to serve both You and others. Amen

Call to order with prayer by Anne Wilson, Brooklyn, at 10:00 am following coffee and donuts provided in the hall. Representatives welcomed their fellows from other states including Vice President Kris Ward from Ohio and John Ryan from Illinois.

Reports by the President, Council Steering Committee, and Election Committee preceded the vote on the Episcopal Accountability resolution offered by the Steering Committee.

Acting moderator Elia Marnik introduced James Post for the President’s Report to the Council. Post pointed to the theme of leadership training held the previous weekend at headquarters – “think globally, act locally.” Citing the definition of parish ownership as important, he said VOTF must comprehend and frame local actions. Post asked how the Church would hang on if it did not face and incorporate reality in an effort to restore trust.

He then noted necessary VOTF actions including elections to be completed in December and a fund drive. He will report on a priority scorecard during the October Council meeting. In closing, he returned to the theme of promises to keep to survivors, priests, and the laity in general. “We will be persuasive; we will live out the message of Christ,” said Post.

Ron DuBois and Anne Southwood followed with a Council Steering Committee report.

DuBois communicated the ongoing engagement with other segments of VOTF leadership to refine the VOTF structure incorporating the effort to expand the Council to national focus. Southwood cited Steering Committee statistical work defining areas of existing membership activity and expected growth.. In addition, she announced another emerging resolution on the expansion of officer terms to two years.

Jim Walsh, in giving the report on the upcoming election process, explained that it was important that people outside of the Boston area know that the election process will be again open, democratic, and credible. He touched on the nominating process leading to candidates being elected. He emphasized that there would be another effort to keep under budget while producing good results, and asked for more volunteers for both election and nominating committees. He said there will be a decision on the need for a primary this year.

The Episcopal Accountability resolution was read and amended slightly by the addition of “Holy” to “Spirit.” Following limited discussion, due to the amount of previous online discussion, the question was moved by Ed Greenan, Rhode Island Regional Coordinator, of VOTF Southern RI and seconded by Ed Wilson of the downtown Brooklyn affiliate. The vote on the resolution, including the previous online vote, was 86 in favor, 6 nays, 1 abstain – resolution passed. The steering committee thanks you for your support.

The Structural Change Working Group, represented by Mary Freeman and Gaile Pohlhaus, presented the results of its Parish Pastoral Council Survey, which investigated types, frequency of meetings, authority centers. The conclusions drawn: where PPC’s are elected, members see their job as problem solving; in 34% of cases, the chairman sets the agenda and there is a correlation with elected as opposed to appointed PPC’s; their conclusions suggested that the consultative nature of a PPC does not preclude mutuality with a pastor. The group will post best practices on the SCWG site so that start-up PPC’s would have available good models. It will also develop a self-evaluation model for self-improvement of existing PPC’s. A power point presentation is available.

Before the featured speaker of the day, Dr. Jim Muller, Suzanne Morse and Luise Dittrich gave an update on the VOTF education/action handbook now being reviewed by VOTF officers. Morse explained the nature of the handbook based on action to fulfill VOTF mission and goals. “Action should be based in theology and prayer,” said Morse.

There will be quarterly revisions of the document with overview by representatives of the working groups involved. The document will soon go out to affiliates.

Bob Morris, John Moynihan and others gave an update on the VOTF New England Convention to be held Nov.13 at the Worcester Centrum. Morris, from the Winchester affiliate, said registration is now open; packets with flyers and registration forms have been created for affiliates. The group noted special hotel rates will be made available. Moynihan asked affiliate leaders to set up groups of what he terms “double daters,” who prefer not to attend alone.

Business over, the Council was treated to a nostalgic hour long speech and Q and A session with Dr. James Muller, VOTF founder. He had been introduced by James Post at the 2002 Boston convention as an “incomparable visionary.” “I feel that even more strongly now,” said Post in this introduction.

Dr. Muller used his book on the creation of VOTF during his speech. He said he believes the Church is a pilgrim church, which must improve itself through history. He cited several “common ground” dialogue agenda items of the late Cardinal Bernardin. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Muller stressed enlisting the power of those who agree with us in order to use the gifts given us by the Spirit. Catholics will disagree with each other; that's why we have these representative structures, said Muller. He focused on the positive in response to a comment by Mary St. Santry that she is saddened when other Catholics won't accept us. Muller said we have great DNA, which will bring strength to the Church as it grows.

Concluding prayer offered by Margaret Roylance. The next Council meeting is October 16, 2004 at St. Mary’s Parish in Pompton Lakes, NJ, at 12:30 pm. For directions, visit www.stmarys-pompton.org.

Excerpt from Pope's Address to Bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey

The full text is available at www.zenit.org

In our meetings, many of you have expressed your concern about the crisis of confidence in the Church's leadership provoked by the recent sexual abuse scandals, the general call for accountability in the Church's governance on every level and the relations between Bishops, clergy and the lay faithful. I am convinced that today, as at every critical moment in her history, the Church will find the resources for an authentic self-renewal in the wisdom, vision and zeal of Bishops outstanding for their holiness. Saintly reformers like Gregory the Great, Charles Borromeo and Pius X understood that the Church is only authentically "re-formed" when she returns to her origins in a conscious reappropriation of the apostolic Tradition and a purifying re-evaluation of her institutions in the light of the Gospel. In the present circumstances of the Church in America, this will entail a spiritual discernment and critique of certain styles of governance which, even in the name of a legitimate concern for good "administration" and responsible oversight, can run the risk of distancing the pastor from the members of his flock, and obscuring his image as their father and brother in Christ.

While the Bishop himself remains responsible for the authoritative decisions which he is called to make in the exercise of his pastoral governance, ecclesial communion also "presupposes the participation of every category of the faithful, inasmuch as they share responsibility for the good of the particular Church which they themselves form" ("Pastores Gregis," loc. cit.).

EVENTS, ETC.

*****REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEW ENGLAND VOTF CONFERENCE IN WORCESTER, MA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13

“It's Not History - It's Time For Renewal" will be the theme of a full-day conference sponsored by the New England affiliates of Voice of the Faithful at the Worcester Centrum on Saturday, November 13, 2004. The Conference derives its name from a statement last February by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding the John Jay report, which documented over 4,000 ordained abusers and more than 10,000 victims. Bishop Gregory remarked, “The terrible history recorded here today is history.” As most of us realized at the time, that was a highly inappropriate characterization. At best the John Jay report was only one short chapter toward a full description of the still-unfolding first major Church crisis in the twenty-first century. There is much more to be experienced, much more to be told, much more to be repaired.

In the wake of this devastating betrayal of trust by religious leaders, the Conference asks, How can the Church renew itself? What must the bishops do? What part must priests play? What more will be required of the laity? We will conclude with a liturgy of hope, healing and renewal. Come join us.

Featured speakers include Fr. Thomas Doyle; authors and journalists Jason Berry, David France and David Gibson; leaders of survivor support organizations (Sue Archibald, President, Link-Up, David Clohessy, Executive Director, SNAP, Bill Gately, Co-Director, New England SNAP); former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tom O'Neill; Paul Lakeland, Eileen Flynn of St. Peter’s, Kathleen Kautzer of Regis College, Paul Lakeland of Fairfield of Fairfield University, David O'Brien and Fr. Bill Clark of Holy Cross, and Gaile Pohlhaus of Villanova; Fr. Robert Silva, President of the National Federation of Priests' Councils; and Catharine Henningsen, Publisher of SALT. A Priest of Integrity award will be conferred on a New England priest who has courageously stood up to the power of the institutional Church on behalf of survivors of clergy sexual abuse. This priest will celebrate our closing Mass.

For further information, and to register for the Conference, please visit the Web site. Seating is limited -- register soon! For further information, or if you'd like to help out in any way, contact Bob Morris at rmorrisvotf@aol.com.

***** Winchester area VOTF to host John Allen, Vatican Correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, author and CNN Vatican analyst in Rome on Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Eulalia’s Church, 50 Ridge Street, Winchester

*****HEADS UP – The Boston College initiative The Church in the 21st Century will feature John Allen speaking Monday evening October 18 on "How Rome Views the American Church," 7:00 p.m., Gasson 100, Sponsor: The Church in the 21st Century Information: 617-552-0470.

***** OCTOBER 19 - PAULIST CENTER ADULT EDUCATION – “STRUGGLING TO STAY ALIVE IN THE CHURCH” presented by Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D. on Tuesday, October 19, 7-8:30 in the Paulist Center Library at 5 Park Street in Boston. The focus of the discussion will be the rich spiritual, sacramental and intellectual traditions of Catholicism that can provide insights into faith commitment.

Joseph T. Kelley is the author of Faith in Exile: Seeking Hope in Times of Doubt and Vice President for Mission at Merrimack College.

Freewill offering of $10 suggested to maintain high quality programming. The Program open to all, regardless of ability to pay. Copies of Faith in Exile will be available.

The Paulist Center is handicap accessible; parking validation is available. Paulist Center phone is 617-742-4460.

*****November 7 - A Faith Formation Program for Adult Christians: The Living Christ, and We His Disciples, sponsored by The Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of The North Shore, Lynn and Seacoast Areas in collaboration with Boston College, Department of Theology. Francine Cardman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA, will speak on “Living Faith I: Christian Spirituality through the Centuries, “ 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. at St. Rose of Lima Church, Topsfield. Sunday, November 14 – “Living Faith II: Lay Spirituality: The Promise of Vatican II” 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. at St. Rose of Lima Church Hall, Topsfield.

***** Sunday, November 14, 2004 - “Are the Wounds Healing?” VOTF president Jim Post will be a panelist at a Symposium to Assess the Catholic Church’s Progress Towards Healing and Reconciliation within the Sexual Abuse Scandal sponsored by the Voice of the Faithful Affiliates of the Baltimore-Washington Region. Location: The National 4-H Conference Center, 7100 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. Speaker - Prof. David O’Brien, Loyola Professor of Roman Catholic Studies, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA; Panelists - Jim Post, President, Voice of the Faithful; Barbara Blaine, Founder & President, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP); Rev. Donald B. Cozzens, pastoral theologian, psychologist and author. All are Welcome – Reception to Follow. A donation of $10 will be requested at the door For further information: Judy Miller 301-330-4211 or Joe Maher 301 963-8165.

*****DISCOUNT FOR VOTF MEMBERS by the Mind/Body Medical Institute to participate in a unique opportunity. This year’s two-day program is “The Enhanced Importance of the Integration of Mind/Body Practices and Prayer.” It will be held on Saturday and Sunday December 11-12, 2004 at the Westin Copley in Boston, MA. Visit www.cme.hms.harvard.edu/spirituality for registration information and program details. The program is offered by Offered by: Harvard Medical School, Department of Continuing Education, The Mind/Body Medical Institute, The George Washington University Medical Center, The George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish). Course Directors are Herbert Benson, MD and Christina M. Puchalski, MD. Web site is www.mbmi.org The deadline for enrollment is December 1, 2004.

***** Sunday, December 12, 1-9:30. Come join Fr. Laurence Freeman, world renowned expert on the history and practice of contemplative prayer, for a day of quiet in the midst of a busy season! Location: Upper Noyes Hall, Andover Newton Theological School. The program will include a simple dinner. Fee: $40; $20 for students, seniors, and unemployed. Please register as early as possible so that we may plan for dinner. This retreat is co-sponsored by The Empty Bell, Andover Newton Theological School, and the RUAH Spirituality Institute. For additional information, go to http://www.ruahspirit.org/fall2004/meditation.html

Site-Seeing:

One parish in Los Angeles county is run by a nun http://www.acfnewsource.org/religion/sister_quinn.html but as Julie Rafferty points out, the decline in the number of priests since the 1960s is almost totally offset by the number of permanent deacons according to a Georgetown University study at http://cara.georgetown.edu/bulletin/index.htm. Founded in 1964, CARA is the Center for Applied Research, a national, non-profit, Georgetown University affiliated research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church. It is another site worth a regular visit.
The National Pastoral Life Center at www.nplc.org posts upcoming conferences, talks and other opportunities (such as November’s Annual Parish Life Convention in Ohio) to continue the Common Ground legacy of Cardinal Bernardin. Their September quarterly newsletter Initiative Report is now available as is a copy of the full text of the Sixth Annual Lecture delivered in June by John Allen, “Common Ground in a Global Key.”
If you can access the September 10, 2004 issue of Commonweal magazine, associate editor Maurice Timothy Reidy’s essay on “Closing Catholic Parishes – A painful process that could be done better” is worthy reading. www.commonwealmagazine.org
Boston College, The Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at www.bc.edu/irepm is bursting with opportunities including an on-line program for credit! And be sure to check regularly the Church in the 21st Century program at www.bc.edu/church21

Something To Think About

A message from a friend of Voice of the Faithful Please send your thoughts to leaderpub@voiceofthefaithful.org

Two years of involvement with VOTF have left me persuaded that a profound transformation in it will be required if we are to engage our fellow Catholics in achieving VOTF’s fundamental mission: to renew our beloved Church. A new spiritual dimension for VOTF is needed to accomplish this goal and to distinguish our cause from the legal wrangling now underway in California and other parts of the country while consuming the attention of the hierarchy.

Basically, this dimension involves embracing wholeheartedly the concept of incarnation theology eloquently described in Chapters 4 and 5 in Ronald Rolheiser’s The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality.

In brief, this concept means that incarnation did not end with Christ’s thirty-three years on earth. He continues to dwell within each of us in the sense of the words attributed to St. Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
He is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which
He is to bless us now.

Rolheiser succinctly summarizes the consequences of this concept. “We are also charging ourselves, as part of the Body of Christ, with some responsibility for answering [our prayers]. To pray as a Christian demands concrete involvement [emphasis added] in trying to bring about what is pleaded for in the prayer.”

This charge opens new dimensions of motivation and action for each one of us. Thoughtfully cultivated, it has the potential, in the short run, of engaging the laity in responding to the challenges laid out by Vatican II. In the long run, VOTF could simply disappear (as it should) and be absorbed in the renewed Church.

As a point of departure for engaging the laity, two or three evenings of guided reflection on the incarnation theology (described by Rolheiser) could be effective for core members of the VOTF affiliates. Such an initiative, replicated for other groups of the laity, would likely be more productive than a sequence of bold organizational initiatives and inspiring conferences.

Letters to the Editor

Send your comments and/or inquiries to leaderpub@voiceofthefaithful.org

Steve Sheehan is a Boston VOTF Survivor Support activist with some thoughts to share on parishioners losing their parish churches. He finds there are two populations with much in common.

“The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB) has created a new breed of survivors. These are not survivors of sexual abuse but survivors of ecclesiastical abuse.

The abuse stems from a program the archdiocese calls reconfiguration, a euphemistic expression that obfuscates the true purpose of the exercise – to close as many and as valuable of the churches of the archdiocese as possible in order to restore the wealth of the Boston See and place the archdiocese on a solid financial basis. The archdiocese has squandered its wealth by unbelievably inept management of the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

The victims of this abuse are the loyal, faithful Catholics in the Greater Boston area. Every man, woman and child who has adhered to their faith, tried to follow the teachings of the Church, and did as they were told by their bishops and cardinals stand victimized by this abject betrayal by those whom they were taught to trust. This is true whether these individuals are members of congregations whose churches are designated to close or not.

Those who face parish closure have been orphaned and many of them do not, at this time, know where to turn. Some, perhaps much more than a few, will leave the Church of their parents and seek a spiritual path in another organized religion where they may feel safer from repeated abuse. Others may well become itinerant worshipers, going from parish to parish hoping to find one that most closely resembles the parish they had loved and served for many years.

Those who are (for the moment) safe from the ravages of closure feel the pain of their wounded brothers and sisters; few, if any, understand why the archdiocese chose to go about the closing procedure in the way it did – setting criteria for closing and then in many instances abandoning the process that they themselves ordained in favor of pitting parish against parish in a circus of cluster polls to determine the future of the churches in specific geographic areas. The “safe” parishes must welcome and incorporate into their existing parish structures the wanderers who come knocking at their doors, and neither they nor the wanderers themselves feel secure in the current “It could happen here” mindset.

I have had the marvelous opportunity to spend several hours, including an overnight sleep-in, at Saint Albert the Great in Weymouth, MA, over the past few days. I have met some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. They are the core Catholics, faithful parishioners, active participants in a variety of roles in their parish, who now are fighting to keep their parish open, who refuse to acquiesce to the demands of an appointed shepherd who has not had the common courtesy to visit their parish before he ordered it closed. I have spoken at length with many of them and their pain infuses my very being. I know that I have to stand in solidarity with them during this desperate time. What they have endured in the past few months may take years to heal.

Our spiritual journey is informing us that abuse takes many forms. Abuse, however, is never justified, whether physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or spiritual. Abuse eats at the very being of the one abused and destroys the ability to trust as well as the institution that allows the abuse to continue. And the buck doesn’t stop until there is no higher earthly authority to whom we can turn for reprieve.

But the pilgrim people of God will continue to place their faith in God knowing that they may have to abandon the institutions and leaders that they were taught to follow. Our conscience must become the guiding beacon that will determine the paths we follow to fulfill our purpose here on Earth, to conduct our lives so as to live with God forever.”

“I have become aware of the fact that the lay persons who are being laid off by parishes that are closing are not eligible for unemployment. I just spoke with the janitor from Sacred Heart in Lexington, MA. He worked for Regis and, now, Sacred Heart, is 60 yrs old with no Social Security, and ineligible for unemployment since the Church does not have to pay into it by law. I wonder if VOTF knows this, and also if anyone can help bring attention to this scandalous situation. In peace and solidarity.” Donna M Gaspar Belmont MA