The following letter was just received from VOTF
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and VOTF co-founder
Jim Muller. It reports substantive bishop dialogue and
another beacon of hope for all Catholics. The editorial
Jim notes is an excerpt.
Friends,
The following is an editorial from the Cincinnati Enquirer,
that accurately reports on a meeting I had on Aug 8,
2003 with Archbishop Pilarczyk of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thanks to the work of Nan, Kristine, Sister Mary Jerome
and others in “Cincy,” and a prior good
meeting with Jim Post, he had already reversed an early
concern about VOTF activities in Dayton. In our recent
meeting he reaffirmed to me that he is "satisfied
that there is nothing contrary to Church teaching in
the work of VOTF". He said that he views VOTF as
an "association of lay faithful" that "has
the good of the Church at heart". He did not endorse
VOTF, but leaves it to the discretion of his individual
pastors to decide if they will permit VOTF to meet on
Church property.
These statements are of great importance for several
reasons. First, in contrast to actions of those like
Bishop Murphy of Long Island, who banned VOTF without
meeting with VOTF leadership, Archbishop Pilarczyk,
met with many leaders of VOTF to learn about the organization.
He has also studied the VOTF website. He knows us well.
Second, he is a highly respected scholar and teacher.
Third, he is chair of Common Ground, which seeks to
encourage dialogue between left and right in the Church,
as does VOTF. (We discussed our mutual work with Cardinal
Bernardin. I told him I hoped VOTF would someday work
with Common Ground, which Bernardin founded.)
Finally, he is a national leader of bishops, who served
as President of the United States Catholic Conference
of Bishops.
He agreed to meet again with representatives of VOTF
in his diocese, and to another meeting with me. It is
a good sign for the Church and for VOTF, that such a
highly respected Church leader has made such positive
statements about VOTF. Archbishop Pilarczyk, Bishop
Daley and others, who have taken the time to learn about
VOTF, and issued positive statements, are setting wonderful
examples for leadership that will lead to a better Church.
We must urge those Bishops who remain negative, or concerned
about VOTF, to take the time to meet with VOTF leaders,
and learn more about the organization.
I believe, the more they know, the more positive their
view will be.
KFCC, Jim Muller
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Voice for change
The Boston-based Church reform group Voice of the Faithful
is still banned in some Catholic dioceses, but VOTF
founder Jim Muller received a cordial reception here
from Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk Friday. The soft-spoken
Boston cardiologist is no Martin Luther firebrand seeking
schism, even though VOTF's worldwide movement sprang
from outrage over priest sex abuse scandals in Massachusetts.
Those scandals were echoed in dioceses across the country,
including Cincinnati and Covington. The reform group
is seeking more of a voice for lay people in guiding
the Church, and more accountable Church leaders, to
prevent cover-ups and other abuses….
Muller has impeccable credentials when it comes to advocating
reform. He is a founder of the International Physicians
for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which won the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1985. Who would fail to support VOTF's
three core goals? Support sex abuse victims. Support
priests of integrity. Shape structural change within
the Church. VOTF wants to create democratic lay congresses
at every level of the worldwide Catholic Church to advise
Church leaders.
When people tell Muller the laity doesn't stand a chance,
he says, "We have instruments reformers didn't
have before." The Internet is already a powerful
force for VOTF.
Muller argues the early Church was governed more democratically.
Only later were lay people disenfranchised. He thinks
Church leaders would be better off sharing power. With
energized lay people, the Church could accomplish more
good. Muller's is a voice worth heeding.”
Voice
of the Faithful, VOTF, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church,"
Voice of Compassion, VOTF logo(s), Parish Voice, and
Prayerful Voice are trademarks of Voice of the Faithful,
Inc.
Voice
of the Faithful is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization.
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