Voices, Voices Everywhere!

Parish Voice Update – Mary Ann Keyes and Suzy Nauman

• In the month of December, VOTF National saw a visit from Sean O’Conaill, a VOTF member from No. Ireland. Mary Ann Keyes has been communicating with him for over a year and while here, he met with Mary Ann, Anne Potts, Bill and Mary Sheehan, Svea and Scott Fraser, Jim and Jeannette Post and Midge Seibert. Sean and others are trying to get VOTF off the ground in NO. Ireland.
• WESTERN STATES VOTF MEETING - SAVE THE DATE!!! March 27 -28. At the University of San Francisco, “'Imaging the Future Church.” Watch the VOTF Web site at www.votf-sf.org for agenda/registration information as well as speakers/participants (one of whom is VOTF president Jim Post).
• A family visit (Mary Ann) and a medical conference with her husband (Suzy Nauman) occasioned a meeting with the leadership of VOTF affiliates in Northern CA. It was a great day of connecting with some West Coast PV members and putting some framework around the VOTF Western Region leaders’ day in San Francisco – March 28th.
• Michigan is alive with VOTF activity. Anne Laurence is the new Regional Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing; Harry Grether is the new Regional Coordinator for Mid-Michigan; and a new affiliate is about to be launched in Detroit under the leadership of Judy Szczesny and Iole LeTissier.

VOTF East Region

VOTF New Jersey
Submitted by Maria Cleary

Greetings VOTF Family. We have a couple of things going on here in NJ that we thought might be of interest to all:

How many times have you been asked, “What do you mean by Structural Change?” We now have audio and videotape copies of Anthony Padovano’s empowering speech "The American Catholic Church: Assessing the Past, Discerning the Future," which can provide you with some wonderful answers! We’d be happy to send you a copy if you’d like to share it with your affiliate. Just email us your name and address. If you’d like to read the speech, visit our website at www.votfnj.org , and learn how our Church was once a democracy!

Also on our website, we have posted a copy of “Rebuild My Church.” This is a Lenten meditation written by one of our members, and based on the three goals of VOTF and the three guiding principles of our affiliate. It is a wonderful Lenten practice, which can keep us focused both on the season itself and our purpose as VOTF. Check it out, and feel free to download it and share it in small groups if you think it would be helpful.

We have been training at the public access cable TV studio in our area, and will be launching our own Voice of the Faithful talk show within a few weeks. If you’d like to find out how you can do this in your area (it’s easy, believe it or not!) or if you’d like a copy of our show to see how it works, contact us and we’ll send it along. If Jesus were with us now, he’d surely be using both TV and the internet to spread the good news! We continue to join with you all in prayer, and to be grateful for the fellowship we share as 21st century apostles. Many blessings from your brothers and sisters at VOTF/NJ.

VOTF Winchester, MA
Submitted by Bob Morris

Despite the bitter cold and snow, our group met three times this month. The highlight of the month, and easily one of the highlights of our group's young history, was the appearance on January 26 of David Gibson, author of The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful Are Shaping a New American Catholicism. David (who traveled from Brooklyn for the event) spoke about his book, as well as the potential models that VOTF could follow in the future. He was most generous in taking questions, which covered the gamut from finance and parish councils to the number of married priests currently in the Catholic Church.

On January 12 Steve Krueger, VOTF Executive Director, spoke to us. Steve brought us up to speed on current VOTF events, both locally and nationally, and also fielded many questions. It was extremely positive for our members to be able to speak to Steve about whatever was on their minds.

We started our year with a meeting of our working groups on January 5. There were many ideas being hatched which will hopefully come to fruition throughout the year.

VOTF Springfield/Northampton, MA
Submitted by Joan Smola

Our Diocesan Victim Advocate, Laura Reilly, met with VOTF in December to fill us in on the processes of the Compliance Audit and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Study, as well as other issues related to the sexual abuse crisis. She opened by thanking our VOTF Affiliate for support in sharing the cause to repair the Church and help each other. She noted that she views us as a "support" for her work.

Regarding the audit, Laura noted that the Springfield Diocese passed the audit with a special commendation for the installation of a Deacon as Clergy Monitor. His charge is to monitor clergy who have been taken out of ministry and ensure that they are following the Diocesan Review Board’s recommendations. On the negative side, concern was raised over the management of cases brought to the Review Board, namely that investigation and follow-up are much too slow, and that victims feel uncomfortable meeting with the entire nine-member Board. As a result, an immediate change was put into place in that victims will no longer be required to meet with the Board if they are uncomfortable doing so; rather they may meet with a segment of the Board or they can be represented by the Victim Advocate. The diocese is also seeking to hire an "investigator" to effect more efficient and timely follow-up to cases. VOTF was asked for suggestions in finding someone to fill this role. In another area, our Bishop (Bishop Thomas Dupre) [Bishop Dupre resigned this week] refuses to put a priest on the Review Board as is called for by the National Charter, while at the same time, an advisory committee has recommended that neither should a victim be on the Board.

One thorny issue was brought up and addressed: VOTF and Victims Groups have called for a mediator to settle the 14-17 active cases in a timely and just manner. While there had been talk of a mediator, there seemed to be no action in this direction and lawsuits seemed stalled. The mediator who settled the Boston cases has been engaged and will begin in January upon completion of his work in Boston.

At the request of a parent of a victim who met with the Victim Advocate, we will work together to form a support group for parents/families of victims. Also, there was considerable discussion of the need for truly representative and effective Parish Pastoral Councils and a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Our affiliate has vowed to continue to push for these and work toward that end.

This was our second meeting with the Victim Advocate, which was truly a dialogue and sharing of ideas to improve the way we are dealing with the sexual abuse crisis. We have been pleased with her openness and willingness to work with us.

In January, Fr. Richard Lavigne, who had multiple victims, was laicized, under the new "expedited administrative process" for laicization, and will no longer receive diocesan financial support, as of May. However, this action was much too late in coming, and he can appeal for financial support if he is indigent. A special fund has been established with voluntary contributions from individuals to support priests like Fr. Lavigne and those who have been relieved of their ministerial office. A total of $100,000 has been contributed by private donors! Again, we are reminded that the "culture" of our Church provides an atmosphere of compassion and concern for the perpetrators that seems to exceed the compassion and concern for the victims.

VOTF West Hartford/CT
Submitted by Dick Wowak

The Hartford affiliates sponsored a talk on January 14 at St. Joseph's College by Rick Krivanka on "Bringing energy and vitality to the renewal of the Catholic Church." The program traced the Vibrant Parish Program in the Cleveland Diocese using Appreciative Inquiry as the tool for change. Over 200 people attended, and the program was well received.

VOTF Southshore, MA Affiliates
Submitted by Anne Southwood

Hingham VOTF organizers and St. Albert the Great hosts were happy with a full house at the 1/22 Southshore plenary with speaker Thomas Beaudoin, of the Boston College theology department.

An eye-catching title, “The Spirituality of Starbucks and Swoosh,” drew people to the lecture. Beaudoin’s talk was based on his new book Integrating Who We Are With What We Buy. Focused on economic spirituality, the lively Beaudoin presentation brought home to listeners a way to integrate faith and action in their purchase of name brands. He explained certain name-brand reliance on sweatshop labor and the virtues of "free trade" as opposed to laissez-faire economics and offered ways for consumers to respond, even if in baby steps.

Beaudoin encouraged investigation into the source of purchases. "Look at your tags," he said, noting that national legislation prompted by inhumane working conditions prohibits the importation of clothing from Burma. He delivered a handout listing "Santa's naughty and nice" purchase recommendations. This offers email access to groups such as www.fairtradefederation.org. The coffee-loving Beaudoin noted that Starbucks has a "free trade" flavor choice. Beaudoin noted that the appeal of his subject crosses generations. “The young are intuiting about this subject, but aren't sure how to respond," said Beaudoin.

Participants in small-group discussion developed ways to respond to the information provided by Beaudoin. "It's an entirely new way of looking at your Catholicism," said Barbara Morrison, Norwood VOTF. "It's a new direction of doing Christian work. You think you can't do anything about a situation, but you can - and people are," said Bob Snowbar, Hingham VOTF.

John Hynes, VOTF Southshore regional coordinator, told his discussion group about a fair-trade business he found on Harvard Street in Brookline marketing hand-made, reasonable items made in third world countries; this was an undertaking of the Mennonites. "We talked about how this kind of enterprise actually oversees the process from the factory to the ultimate retail point of sale. Maybe some day our Church will be doing this kind of work," said Hynes.

"You're doing theology," said Beaudoin, when translating the Catholic tradition in a way that makes sense in relationships, life and economic decisions. Beaudoin touted the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes, a pastoral document on the Church in the modern world, as a source of direction.

Quoting from the gospel of Matthew, Beaudoin pointed to embracing Christ's humanity. "Christ reveals the way to God in his humanity in community .... Jesus reveals us to ourselves and our divine vocation," he said, as many heads nodded in understanding. Referring to the scriptural reference on one’s treasure being where one’s heart is, Beaudoin drew a relationship between our faith and economic life decisions.

St. Albert the Great pastor, Fr. Ron Coyne, later agreed with Beaudoin. "You are theologizing," said Coyne when we relating faith to decision making. "He's saying that the gospels are the criteria for a Christian life, and that says it all," said the popular pastor. "Also, just look at a church budget; just where and how they use their money," he said.

VOTF Hingham, MA ****Best Practices February 2004****
Submitted by Bob Snowber

Putting Muscle Into Parish Councils

Last Spring the Hingham Affiliate concluded that “structural change” in the Church should start at the parish level. A seven- person Task Force was established to look into revising the Boston Diocesan Guidelines for PPC's, which were established in 1987.While our focus was on the Boston Guidelines we wanted to come up with proposals that could apply to any diocese.

Most Task Force members were members of St. Paul’s Parish Council including the present Vice-Chair. Our goal was to develop changes in the Guidelines that would make the PPC more helpful to the pastors in managing the parish and provide a more meaningful role for the members of the Council who represent the whole congregation. We wanted to propose “doable” changes that would still be within Canon Law and practices in the American Church. The first Phase involved a lot of review of present Guidelines, Vatican II Documents, applicable Canon Law and talking to other PPC's.

Rather than attempt to rewrite the existing Guidelines, the Task Force agreed to develop a list of 'Premises' which might provide the basis for new Guidelines and would be easier to critique and compare with current rules. These 18 Premises included many of the same items included in the present Guidelines, which were so indicated, but differed in four major aspects: a) instead of the present advisory role the PPC would play a collaborative role; b) the PPC would be interactive with the Finance Council; c) the Vice-Chair would have a greater role in selecting agendas, calling meetings, etc.; and d) a procedure would be created for resolving major disagreements between the pastor and Council.

Following approval by our Steering Committee, the Premises were reviewed with three pastors and our own PPC and then submitted to the Structural Change Group. Margaret Roylance, Chair of the SCG, has e-mailed it to the SC Network for comments.

It is hoped that this could provide the basis of discussions with our new Archbishop and in other Diocese a well. For a copy or other information, e-mail RASnowber@aol.com

VOTF Holy Trinity, Washington, DC
Submitted by Frank Lane

This February, the Voice 0f the Faithful affiliate marks its first anniversary at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, DC. This affiliate traces its roots to the first international convention of the Voice of the Faithful held in Boston in July 2002, where a delegation from Holy Trinity was among the 4,500 who attended.

The following month a small group of parishioners, with the support of the then pastor Fr. William Byron, met to discuss the potential formation of an affiliate. In September 2002, an expanded planning group formulated plans to educate parishioners about VOTF and its goals to support abuse victims and priests of integrity, and to reform the Church. Key to the process was the intentional, targeted steps taken to clarify and discuss the goals and ensure the support of both the parish leadership and general membership prior to establishing an affiliate at Holy Trinity.

During October 2002 a meeting was held with Parish Council and the pastor to obtain their formal support for VOTF affiliate at Holy Trinity. (Since these meetings the Council and Pastor have been continuously updated on VOTF developments to ensure effective communication of VOTF strategies, goals and objectives and maintain the support of the parish leadership.) During the last weekend of the month informational meetings were held after each Mass and VOTF materials were distributed to the more than 100 attendees.

On November 9, the first general open meeting was held for about 125 people. They were addressed by Dr.Tony Tambasco of the Georgetown University Theology Department and a parishioner, and by Fr. Ladislaw Orsy, a professor at the Georgetown University Law and a canon law expert. The meeting, with over 125 attendees, focused on the propriety of VOTF as fully consistent with Church structure and Canon law.

On December 7, 2002 an open meeting was held on Goal 1—support of the abused. More than 65 people heard a presentation by Mark Serrano who discussed the ongoing effort of his organization to help abuse victims. Dr. Sylvia Marotta, George Washington University, Chairwoman of Counseling in the Human and Organizational Studies Department, and a parishioner, also discussed the sexual abuse crisis in the Church in terms of the ongoing abuse in the United States and beyond.

On January 18, 2003 a general session on Goal 2 – support priests of integrity – was attended by more than 100 people, and was addressed Fr. Jim Greenfield and Fr. Jim Sabek.

On February 8, 2003 a general session on Goal 3 – shaping structural change within the Church – heard an address by Fr. Jim Coriden, a canon lawyer and dean emeritus of Washington Theological Union. At the conclusion of this meeting those present voted overwhelming to form VOTF affiliate at Holy Trinity in support of the three goals formulated by the National VOTF organization. On the basis of this decision the Parish Council recognized the fledgling organization and “The Voice of the Faithful Affiliate at Holy Trinity Parish” was born.

Since that time the affiliate has put into place a structure including the development of goals with supporting strategies for VOTF activities, distribution of information, membership forms, and regular announcements to members. This past June, at the invitation of the affiliate, Jane Belford, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Washington, promised the full cooperation of the Archdiocese with the laity and cited the archdiocesan lay council as evidence of that commitment. VOTF affiliate leadership is following up with this group to obtain the minutes and meeting schedule of the council

In addition to its work within the parish, VOTF at HT is working with other local affiliates in the metropolitan area and initiating activities in support of VOTF goals as previously reported from Holy Trinity (In the Vineyard, November 2003). For example, VOTF President Jim Post addressed members from DC, Maryland and Virginia and stated that the lack of fiscal accountability by the Catholic Church is one of the underlying causes of the sexual abuse scandal and that it is necessary for the laity to take more prominent roles in church finances at both the parish and diocesan levels.

The secrecy surrounding church finances allowed some bishops to siphon off church funds to silence victims of clergy sex abuse he said, and this helped to keep the scandal under wraps for many years. Increasing lay influence on parish and diocesan councils is only one goal of VOTF, he said, but if pastors and bishops can be convinced that such lay involvement is what VOTF means by “shaping cultural change” in the Church, many of their fears may be allayed.

In November two VOTF members represented the HT affiliate at a VOTF support meeting for SNAP. This was held just prior to the Washington meeting with the National Conference of Bishops. These members were impressed with the resiliency of the survivors they met who turned their sorrow into ministry to prevent further abuse. The HT/VOTF liaison with SNAP is a continuing project.

The new HT pastor Fr. Jim Shea, S.J., at his installation Mass on January 26, pledged to the parish and Cardinal McCarrick, to seek the advice and counsel of the laity, specifically the HT parish council, in all spiritual and temporal matters. He also said that HT is a prayerful community, is empowered by listening to the Spirit and called to be the Body of Christ. In the breaking of the bread we become strong and loving and give greater service to the wider Catholic community.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Cardinal expressed his love for Holy Trinity, its Jesuit tradition and the leaders of the Church and nation who have attended here and the historical role of the parish since the beginning of this country. On this point, it is interesting to note that the founders of Boston College and Holy Cross were also Holy Trinity pastors.

On February 28 the HT/VOTF affiliate will mark its first anniversary with a special Mass for all members and parishioners. While there remains much to be accomplished, there is a clear sense that the affiliate is emerging as an effective vibrant organization of reasoned Catholics who strive to unite as a prayerful voice, guided by the Spirit, to successfully address the challenges ahead.

VOTF Cleveland, OH
Submitted by Fred McGunagle

Voice of the Faithful and the Catholic Common Ground Initiative have a lot in common, Sister Joan Acker told the St. Christopher Parish Voice Jan. 24. As evidence, she quoted the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin who founded the Initiative in 1996 in an effort to bring polarized Catholics together: “In a time of crisis, silence and neutrality are not an option for people of faith.” He said, “I ask you, without waiting and on your own, to strengthen the common ground, to examine the situation with fresh eyes and open minds and changed hearts, and to confront our challenges with honesty and imagination.” The local chapter of Common Ground usually meets three times a year in Brunswick, but will hold a special session April 25 on the role of the laity.

A graduate of St. Christopher School, Sister Joan is a Humility of Mary nun whose science students at Magnificat High School won frequent state and national awards. She also taught at Borromeo Seminary and John Carroll University, where she shared in a $10,000 award from the Templeton Foundation for developing a course on “Science and Religion.” Sister Joan told a story about Father – later Cardinal – John Henry Newman, who was fired by his bishop as editor of the diocesan newsletter for being too favorable to the laity. “Who are the laity?!” the bishop demanded. “Your Excellency,” Newman replied, “the Church would look pretty foolish without them.”

Our affiliate elected officers for the coming year: Fred McGunagle, chair; Tom Litzler, vice chair; Janet Sherman, secretary; Bill Litzler, treasurer.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 5:30, Fr. Robert Schreiter, CPPS, will speak in the auditorium of the new Dolan Science Center, John Carroll University. Fr. Schreiter is Vatican Council II Professor of Theology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and author of The Ministry of Reconciliation, and Mission in the Third Millennium.

We will meet again March 13 to discuss the John Jay College report to be released on Feb. 27. It will list, diocese by diocese, the number of victims and perpetrators involved in the sex abuse scandal, along with the amount paid out in legal settlements to victims. The group will also discuss the financial scandal that forced suspension of the chief financial officer of the Cleveland Diocese.

Vol.1, No.1, of Cleveland VOTF’s first newsletter was published on January 24. “The purpose and editorial policy of the Cleveland VOTF newsletter VOTF Perspectives is to provide resources to members of Voice of the Faithful in the Diocese of Cleveland, to create a culture of books, articles, and lectures common to our members, and to build a network of personal relationships. Persons who submit material for consideration must be members of VOTF.”

An excerpt from this first issue:
Ten months after the adoption of the new Cleveland Diocese sex abuse policy, a Review Board is now ready to begin hearings. It will soon act on appeals of two priests who were placed on administrative leave and want to return to active ministry. That’s the report the St. Christopher Parish Voice heard on Nov. 23 from John Bongiovanni, a parent representative on the 15-member board.

The appeals will be the board’s first “second-stage” hearings. So far it has held only less thorough “first-stage” hearings when a complaint was filed. “There are a number of priests on administrative leave who may not be guilty,” Bongiovanni said. However, the complaints appeared credible and the priests were put on leave “in the interest of the safety of children.” He said the board will now interview accusers and other witnesses. Unless there is a preponderance of evidence against the priest, the board must recommend to Bishop Anthony Pilla that he be reinstated.

A number of accused priests are still drawing their salaries, but Bongiovanni said they will not have hearings unless they or the bishop ask for them. “We cannot initiate a hearing,” he said. Bongiovanni said hearings were held up by the need to develop bylaws to deal with complicated civil and canon law questions.

He added that he was impressed by the support the board has received so far from the bishop and by the objectivity of his fellow board members. “Nobody has an ax to grind,” he said.

VOTF South Region

VOTF SW Florida
Submitted by Peg Bisgrove

We are very fortunate to be hosting renowned author Fr. Donald Cozzens, a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, to speak at VOTF SW Florida's Second Annual Speakers Forum on Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Church, East Naples. Fr. Cozzens’ topic is “Faith That Dares To Speak.” His most recent books The Changing Face of the Priesthood and Sacred Silence: Denial and the Crisis in the Catholic Church continue to figure in the ongoing dialogue about the future of our Church. Donald Cozzens is a visiting professor of religious studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. For more than a decade, Cozzens has been writing and speaking about the crisis facing the Church and the priesthood. Since January 2002, when the clergy sexual abuse scandal received wide media attention, he has appeared on several major television network programs including “Meet the Press” and CNN News. Also, Fr. Cozzens has been a guest on PBS and BBC radio interviews and discussions. For directions to this upcoming talk or additional information, please e-mail IrishPeg@worldnet.att.net.

VOTF Louisville, KY
Submitted by Paula Radmacher

The Louisville, KY affiliate is celebrating our first anniversary. We thank God for the progress we, the Church, are making in one of "the worst" (in numbers of lawsuits) dioceses in the country. We owe much of this progress to the untiring efforts of Shannon Whelan, who is stepping down as Chair and will focus on being Regional Coordinator for the state of Kentucky. Our goal is to make Louisville one of "the best" (in terms of healing, accountability and transparency) dioceses in the country.

We have received good coverage in our local paper the Courier-Journal where “Cecilia Price, a spokeswoman for the Louisville archdiocese, said it has a cordial relationship with Voice of the Faithful. She said it supports the group's three primary goals and welcomes the assistance of Voice of the Faithful and other groups like it in achieving them.”

VOTF Central

VOTF Illinois
Submitted by Terry O’Connor

We had over two hundred people attend Holy Family parish in Inverness on a cold night of six degrees and a wind chill of five below zero to hear Justice Anne Burke, Illinois Appellate Court Justice and acting chair of the USCCB National Review Board, which was commissioned 17 months ago to investigate the sexual abuse crisis.

VOTF International

VOTF Saanich Peninsula, Sidney, BC Canada
Submitted by MaryAnn Gervais

Saanich Peninsula Parish Affiliate in British Columbia, Canada announces the passing of Joanne Cameron on Monday, January 12th, after a short battle with cancer. Family and friends attended a Celebration of her Life on Thursday, January l5th, 2004. Joanne was a newcomer to St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Sidney B.C. having been a parishioner for only three years. Her vitality, compassion and love were extended to whomever she met and consequently many were in attendance to bid her farewell.

Joanne was born in Detroit, Michigan on January 25, 1943. She completed her secondary education at a Dominican High School and then entered a convent in Wisconsin for a year. Upon leaving the convent she married Joseph Polselli in 1962 and raised a family of three sons and a daughter, Julie, who lives in Sidney, B.C. Joanne continued her education by obtaining a nursing degree and practiced nursing in Detroit. She was forced to retire in 1994 due to an injury at work.

After the passing of her father, Joanne had the privilege of living with and caring for her mother for three years until she lost her to cancer in 1999. Joanne moved to Sidney to be closer to her daughter. She began active participation in her new parish. She chose to give her time and effort to the Alpha Group and to the newly formed Voice of the Faithful ministry at St. Elizabeth's, Saanich Peninsula Parish.

This has been a sad passing for the VOTF who counted on Joanne's broad experience and forward thinking and benefited from her courageous and loving presence. Her absence will be felt strongly but Joanne's spirit and May peace be yours, Joanne.

Thank you to Father Rolf Hasenack O.P., our new parish priest. This was Father Rolf"s first official duty upon his appointment to St. Elizabeth's on January 15, 2004.

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