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Priests of Integrity Working Group Update
The committee for the Goal Two Working Group is pleased
to make the following announcement:
It is our intent to honor all the priests who have
been nominated for a Priest of Integrity award (and
who have agreed to accept such recognition). But how
to do so is a challenge. We had the daunting responsibility
of identifying one of the nominees to receive an award
at the Providence Convention. It proved impossible
to name just one, and so we will honor three priests
at the award ceremony. They are:
Fr. Ken Lasch (St. Joseph's Parish, Mendham, New Jersey):
A priest who has spoken at VOTF gatherings, supported
survivors unhesitatingly beginning in 1995, and who
continues to speak out both for survivors and the reforms
of Vatican II. He is also a founder of Project Millstones.
Fr. Richard Reissmann (St. John-Holy Angels Parish,
Newark, Delaware): The only priest in his diocese who
was willing to support VOTF in his parish and who is
a member himself. His testimony before the Delaware
State Legislature is credited with helping in the unanimous
passage of Senate Bill 29, the strongest bill protecting
children; the bill eliminated the two year statute
of limitation and provided a two year look-back window.
Fr. Steve Stanbery (Pastor of a rural parish in New
Bavaria, Ohio): A priest who has “been on a continuing
crusade for integrity and transparency” in his
diocese since the sex scandals became apparent in 2002.
He has worked tirelessly to root out the evil in the
cover-up of a murder probe of a slain Catholic nun,
clergy sexual abuse cases, closed parishes, and financial
impropriety. He participated in the Oscar-nominated
documentary “Twist of Faith.”
The following priests were also nominated and will
be highlighted in future editions of In the Vineyard
as well as be acclaimed in their respective regions:
Fr. Pat Brennan (Inverness, IL)
Fr. Bill Hammer (Louisville, KY)
Fr. David Hitch (Tipton, Iowa)
Fr. Stephen Josoma (Dedham, MA)
Fr. James McGee (Crawfordville, FL)
Fr. Michael O'Connell (St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Mark Schmeider (Cincinnati, OH)
Fr. Louis Stasker (Grand Rapids, Michigan
Speaking on behalf of our committee, I can say that
we applaud every priest who demonstrates the courage
and compassion that each of these men has shown, and
it is our hope that others will step forward in the
same way, making such a distinction no longer exceptional!
Ultimately, we honor all of them with our prayers
and willingness to imitate their Christian witness.
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