VOTF at Work in
the World
NEWS WATCH:
Spokane, WA – Bishop
Skylstad of Spokane, WA to plans appeal federal bankruptcy court decision
that would include parish properties among diocesan assets in the settlement
costs
of clergy sex abuse claims. When filing bankruptcy protection under Chapter
11 in 2004, the Spokane diocese did not include parishes, parish schools
or cemeteries in its list of assets. Click
here for Catholic News Story coverage.
VOTF president Jim Post issued
a statement that considers the implications of the federal
bankruptcy court decision in Spokane and the Vatican’s response to the
management of closed-parish assets in the Boston, MA diocese.
San Francisco, CA – National
Catholic Reporter News Brief in
the September 2, 2005 issue reported that Archbishop William J. Levada
was handed his second subpoena in two weeks, this one commanding him to
testify in sexual-abuse cases involving the Portland, Ore., archdiocese.
The archbishop will be “… deposed in January for a case alleging, among
other things, intentional infliction of emotional distress by a Portland
parish priest and a parish school principal.”
Meanwhile, VOTF
Northern California is moving ahead to an October 9 “day of discernment” to
reflect upon the qualities needed for the next leader of the Archdiocese
of San Francisco. All Catholics in the Bay Area are invited to participate
in a day of discernment, prayer, and selection. This day of reflection
will include names of prospective nominees to the seat of bishop of this
diocese.
The meeting will take place
at Saint Matthew Catholic Church, San Mateo on Sunday – October 9, 11:30
am – 3:30 pm. The results will be forwarded to the Vatican Congregation of
Bishops and to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI.
In so doing, VOTF Northern
California hopes to follow the example of ancient Church practice where all
the People of God – the laity, the ordained, the vowed religious – living
in a common geographical area, come together to pray, reflect and choose
their next spiritual leader. Visit the VOTF
San Francisco web site.
Long Island, NY – Members
and friends of Long Island VOICE of the Faithful will hold a regional meeting
tonight at 7:30 pm at Unitarian Universalist at Shelter Rock, Manhasset.
The topic is “PRESENT STATE of FINANCES” in the Diocese of Rockville
Centre, NY. A Power Point presentation by H. Richard Grafer will advise as
to “how much money the diocese has, where this money goes, who decides where
it goes, and why we don’t have a say in the process. We encourage attendees
to invite their pastors and parish staff as well as any and all questions.
Among our considerations might be the formation of an elected diocesan finance
council to work alongside the existing appointed diocesan finance council.”
The outcome of this
meeting will be available in an upcoming Vineyard. The VOTF Long Island, NY
web site .
Parish Closings – wherever
you are, you are not alone. Read
about the Boston experience in appealing their parish closing.
The
Herald Star in Steubenville, OH reported this week
that two parishioners at St. Anthony’s Church, both VOTF members, presented
a petition to Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of the Diocese of Steubenville
signed by more than 400 people protesting the planned closure of the
church.
In Kansas, OH The
Advertiser-Tribune published an op-ed from VOTF member Steven
Johnson. Excerpt:
“I am writing as a concerned
resident of Kansas, Ohio. The Diocese of Toledo has announced its plans to
close St. James Parish here in Kansas. A Decree of Suppression dated April
21, 2005, has been issued which clearly states that it is to be published
immediately. Under Canon protocol, a parish has 10 days to petition for recourse,
yet the decree was not formally shared with any parishioners by our priest
until a May 25 Parish Council meeting. So it has become plainly obvious to
us that we have been shut out from having a say in the future of our faith
community. Therefore, those of us who believe it is a mistake to separate
a community from its foundation have to move forward while being kept in
the dark….
If the diocese and its
Parish Futures Task Force thought that we would go quietly into the night,
they may need to take some time to become better acquainted with our parish.
I was raised by a Protestant minister, and I have called six different parishes
all over the East Coast and Midwest ‘home’ at one time or another. The members
of St. James Parish comprise a church community that is among the most resourceful
that I have ever seen. Many who read this newspaper may be among the 33,260
in attendance for one or more of the 150 performances of ‘His Last Days,’ which
has been presented during Lent by the St. James Choral Group since 1989 (17
years). For Mass, we have 79 percent attendance on a weekly basis. We have
an abundance of active lay people who participate as lectors, commentators,
servers, musicians, and Sunday School/CCD teachers. The grounds and building
maintenance has all been managed by members who volunteer, and the parish
has a very healthy budget.
We are self-sustaining,
and the one and only component we are missing to remain open is the one which
the Toledo Diocese says they are unable to provide. Our church is not
closing because we failed the diocese; it is closing because the diocese
failed our church. If the parishes that the bishop wants to close were
no longer necessary due to modern transportation, as the Parish Futures Task
Force says, then they would die a natural death on their own. How can a parish
be viable and antiquated at the same time??? The answer: When a hierarchy
has an agenda that is out of touch with the needs of the community that it
is meant to serve. No vibrant parish should ever be closed, and I would invite
anyone reading this to come and witness the magnitude of our parish. Mass
takes place on Sunday at 8:30. For more information, you can also click
here.” Steven D. Johnson
This statement appeared
in the June 2005 issue of The
Advertiser-Tribune. The substance of Mr. Johnson’s remarks resonates
with many whose parishes, while viable, have been notified of closing.
Mr. Johnson attended the Indianapolis Convocation and with his wife is
a member of VOTF.
VOTF Boston is planning
distribution of a post-card template for use in requesting the MA State Judiciary
Committee to move the Marian Walsh bill out of committee to the full Senate.
The affiliate is also distributing the names and addresses of the joint committee
of senators and representatives. See the August issues of In the Vineyard for
additional details on Bill 1074.
National Representative
Council: In September representatives will be focusing on making sure
that all affiliates and members within their respective regions are discussing
and voting on narrowing down the nine draft resolutions from the Indianapolis
convocation to the three resolutions that are judged to be the most important
and actionable.
Bishop accountability still
missing in NH: “Forgive us Father, for mistakes were made” – VOTF NH member Carolyn
Disco’s op-ed published in the Union Leader finds little or no accountability in
bishop’s statements. “What they say now about what they did then reveals
a clerical mindset bent more on damage control than honesty.” Carolyn is
co-founder of New Hampshire Catholics for Moral Leadership;
Best Practice – Support
survivors and get a jump-start on those Christmas cards! VOTF Winchester,
MA continues their annual survivor support fundraiser with the sale of original-art
Christmas cards. Contact rmorrisvotf@aol.com or
visit the VOTF Winchester web site.
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