Minutes/Reports

Meeting convened at 4:05 pm with Opening Prayer by Dennis Kirby.

There was an excellent turnout...several new faces.

Introductions followed, and individuals were asked to include a sentence or two describing their concerns about the Church.

Many concerns centered around authoritarianism, abuse of power, the increasing gap between clergy and laity, lack of bishop accountability, people leaving the Church, victim abuse and lack of a healing ministry for victims and their families, loss of trust in leadership, sexual abuse cover-up, Vatican II principles disappearing, etc.

“What can we do as concerned Catholic laity?" became the next discussion point. John Ryan described the overall strategy of Voice of the Faithful as that or raising awareness, speaking out, and doing something to address these issues.

Raising awareness presumes that we ourselves are aware, that we are well informed and educated in these matters. That becomes the first order of business.

Speaking out means communicating…one on one, in groups, in conversations, in organized ways, through the media, through events, and through our witness. In all instances, we maintain a tone of respect and always adhere to what we know to be true. We do this within the community and within the scope of what is prescribed by canon law and conciliar documents.

We are raising awareness in our Catholic community of the needs of survivors and their families for support, healing, and love. We are raising awareness of the need to support good and faithful priests, whose priestly image has been tarnished by the scandal. We are raising awareness of the need for reform of a flawed governance system in the Church, by the inclusion of a significant lay voice in these processes.

We then reviewed recommendations for action as presented by David O’Brien, Professor of History at Holy Cross University, in his December 13 speech to the VOTF Representative Council. (attached)

Two items requiring immediate attention :

1. Preparation for the Feb. 27 release of the John Jay Report, commissioned by the bishops, which will detail the scope, numbers, kinds, costs, and causes of clergy sexual abuse in the U.S. Church over the past 50 years. A National VOTF team is working on guidelines for affiliates.

2. Preparation of an open letter to the priests of the Diocese of Peoria, to introduce them to our VOTF effort in the diocese, and to extend our word of support for them in their priesthood.

Dennis read aloud an initial draft of this letter (all in attendance had copies), and asked for feedback over the next week. Deadline for mailing will be within two weeks.

John reminded the group that there would be another presentation in Peoria by the mother of a sexual abuse survivor who presented to us in Bloomington two weeks ago. The Peoria presentation will be on Thursday, Jan. 29, from 7 to 9 pm, in the Unitarian Church (Knoxville and Hamilton).

John and Dennis will continue to work on finding a permanent meeting place. Next meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 9 pm in Bloomington.

Closing prayer and adjournment at 6:25 pm

TEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL
From speech given by David O’Brien to VOTF National Council, 12/13/03

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