Survivor
Support News
****Steve
Lynch's fasting vigil
Reported by Steve Sheehan
On
June 26, at 6:00 am, survivor Steven Lynch began a period
of fasting and silent meditation in front of the chancery
on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, Mass. Steve has indicated
that he will remain in silent meditation, taking only
water, until his "inner voice" tells him that it is
right for him to end this vigil.
Several
survivors and VOTF survivor supporters were with Steve
during the day. Although Steve is not talking, he welcomes
company on his vigil, news of what is happening, both
oral and written (newspaper and magazine articles),
and, of course, plenty of water to keep him hydrated
during these hot summer days.
Steve
has just returned from a six-month visit to India where
he has traveled for the past five years. Most of this
time Steve spent in meditation, getting in touch with
his inner being, and in this way progressing along his
personal healing path. Steve shared stories of his travels
with members of the Working Group on Survivor issues,
on June 25, at an informal gathering hosted by Andrea
Johnson of Wellesley.
****A
Musical Tribute
Submitted by Steve Sheehan
On
September 28, 20003 at 5:00 pm, a chamber music concert
will be performed at the Edward M. Pickman Concert Hall,
27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA.
Admission
to the concert will be free. Concert attendees are asked
to make a good will offering to support SNAP (Survivors
Network of those Abused by Priests).
The
program will be presented by John Ferrillo, Elizabeth
Ostling and Elita Kang of the Boston Symphony Orchestra,
Carol Rodland of the New England Conservatory, and Hugh
Hinton of the Longy School of Music.
The
program will consist of works by Bach, Schumann, DeBussy,
Barber, Loefflre and Messiaen. PLEASE HELP TO MAKE THIS
EVENT A SUCCESS!
For
further information please visit the survivor
pages of the VOTF Web site or contact Steve Sheehan
at: sheehan1777@aol.com.
****Benefit
for The Lighthouse on July 18, 7-11 p.m.
An invitation to Boston Area VOTF Members. Please join
us at a party to benefit The Lighthouse on July 18 from
7-11p.m. at Chelmsford Elks Hall, 300 Littleton Rd,
Road, Rt. 110) Chelmsford, MA. The Lighthouse is a non-denominational
center for survivors and victims of clergy abuse in
East Boston. It is staffed and run by survivors. It
is a safe, welcoming place for people to go when they
need information and support from others who have survived
similar abuse as they have. It is brand new and enjoyed
its public grand opening on June 7. This family night
is the first event bringing people together for the
purpose of supporting The Lighthouse. RSVP to TheLighthouse77@aol.com
so that we can reserve tickets for you! This party is
being sponsored by The Beacons of Light, individuals
from many groups that support The Lighthouse.
This party will be fun and casual with a great DJ, cash
bar and dancing. Tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the
door; families $25.
****VOTF
Merrimack Valley, MA Sponsors Support of Survivors Walk
2003
Reported by Stacey Quealey and Lauren Francseschi
Several
of the Merrimack Valley VOTF Affiliates sponsored Support
of Survivors Walk 2003. Walkers will gather pledges
based on how many laps they could walk around the soccer
field (approximately 1/4 mile per lap). It was held
at Merrimack College in Andover/North Andover, Massachusetts
on June 29 from 1:00-5:00 pm. All pledges and donations
were donated to the Survivors Appeal. The Survivors
Appeal. is a non-profit fund that was established
so that financial supporters could make a "one-stop"
donation. The tax deductible donations collected by
the Survivors Appeal. are distributed to survivor
advocacy groups on an as-needed basis. Contacts: Lauren
and Stacey at soswalk@yahoo.com.
****Message
on recent Supreme Court decision
Reported by SNAP
United States Supreme Court Case DOES NOT AFFECT Civil
Cases
Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court handed down
the Stogner v. California decision that invalidated
use of retroactive statutes of limitations in CRIMINAL
cases. As a result, many perpetrators will escape the
criminal punishment that they deserve. In this way,
Stogner is a horrible decision. In any case, I write
to you to assure you that the Stogner decision DOES
NOT AFFECT CIVIL cases. Stogner specifically distinguishes
civil cases as not being impacted. What Stogner does
do is emphasize the importance of civil litigation in
this critical area of childhood sexual abuse. In fact,
for many, filing a civil lawsuit is the only option
for exposing the abusers and those who assist them.
We need to keep the faith that the journey upon which
we have embarked will result in heightened protection
of children. Keep making those police reports. Keep
reporting crimes. If the criminally, we will prosecute
civilly. Stogner has no impact whatsoever on a survivor's
ability to bring a civil lawsuit.
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of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
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of the Faithful is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.
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