National Representative Council NOTES

Reported by Frank Douglas, representative for Region 13 (AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY)

Click here to see identify the Council Representative for your region.

The Council adopted, by a 17-2 vote, procedures for processing both draft policy-related proposals and draft action plans associated with approved proposals. In effect, approval of these procedures says the Council is fully "open for business," i.e., the business of making VOTF policy.

Dan Bartley, a Representative from Region 2 (NY) and co-director of VOTF-Long Island, submitted the first draft proposal. Dan's proposal calls for VOTF to formally adopt the position that the financial aspect of diocesan priest retirements should not come under the exclusive control of the local Bishop. A second draft proposal, submitted by Bud Bretschneider and Bill Culleton, both of Region 3 (NJ PA) and VOTF-Philadelphia, calls for an annual liturgy of healing as a public act of reconciliation with those estranged from their faith because of clergy sexual abuse. Discussion on both issues has already started, and we hope all VOTF members will express an opinion on the two proposals by sending an e-mail to their elected Representative. Other possible resolutions are also being discussed. The Council will be providing progress reports on the proposals as discussions and votes take place.

Work continued on the prioritization of the nine draft resolutions from the Indianapolis convocation to identify the top three and return the results from affiliates and non-affiliate members to the regional Representatives by Sept 30th. Council members participated in a conference call with the Convocation Implementation team (CIT) to firm up the process for prioritizing the nine recommendations. The tabulated results from each region will be returned to the CIT by Oct. 6th.

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In the Vineyard
September 22, 2005
Volume 4, Issue 12
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Page One

VOTF Affiliate Highlights


Commentary and more: “In a Mother’s Words: Watch Your Language” – Ginny Hoehne

“Why Women Choose To Stay” A Boston College Church in the 21st Century panel discussion

“Reflection on the Body of Christ” - Joe O’Callaghan, Fordham University professor emeritus

A poem from the time of Katrina: “Sea Change”: reprinted with permission, 2005 © by Denise Roy

Letter to the Editor

National Representative Council NOTES


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