"To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church." 

             Voice Of The Faithful Mission Statement

•   Current Membership: Over 40,000 in 40 states and 21 countries with over 100 Parish Voice affiliate groups.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

Voice Of The Faithful Goals

†    To support the victims of abuse

†   To support priests of integrity

†    To shape structural change in the church.

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February, 2005 The settlement of the clerical abuse cases in Orange County has brought both relief and confusion within the VOTF community. Some feel that the settlement was too large, others feel that some cases were not REALLY cases of true sexual abuse. Everyone has their own feelings and reactions. Those survivors who will receive compensation are thankful that now at least the matter of getting the Catholic Church (their Catholic Church) to acknowledge their abuse and suffering is over. In a ver public manner, the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Orange, has acknowledged that bad things happened to children while they were in the "care" of some of our priests. October, 2004 A brief note to encourage all of you to try and attend the following.... Sunday afternoon matinees will also involve a discussion following the performance. I have read the play and thought it was quite good... clear cut and reflective of stories told by Survivors... This is a totally independant production by Mr. Call who has produced this himself when he was unable to find other backers. Try to see the performance and take along a friend who can benefit from the information provided. God Bless, Mary Jane

DAMAGES Where: Hudson Main Stage Theatre 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038 When: Sept. 30 – Sunday, November 7th Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 8pm Sat 3pm Sun 3pm For tickets: (323) 960-7740 www.plays411.com/damages

$30 Wed, Thurs, Fri at 8pm Saturday $25 at 3pm & $30 at 8pm $25 Sunday at 3pm

$5.00 off for AEA, SAG, AFTRA, seniors, students, and previews (mention code 007 when reserving) Damages is a 2 act play which focus on Francis Conway's decision to approach the District Attorney Office regarding the actions of priest/predator, Fr. Aloysius Dugan. Set in the present and the past, it reveals the strategies Dugan creates luring young boys into angelic prayer groups and chronicles the maneuvers and strategies of a church caught in turmoil while it measures the human cost.

4 January 12, 2004

Please review the information on the following website so that you can keep yourself up to date on what is happening…

Bishop Accountability.

This website has some very valuable resource documents to help you educate yourself on the issue. The site contains a transcript of Bishop A. James Quinn's address to a Midwest Canon Law Society meeting (4/23-25/1990), in which he recommended (PDF p. 31) sending diocesan documents that "you really don't want people to see" to the Vatican embassy in Washington "because they have immunity."

NEW 1/9 In our new installment of the Ten-Minute Activist, we invite you to "audit the audit," providing an informed and detail-oriented look at the diocese you know, to supplement the auditors' work. See also our sampling of early Commentary about the USCCB audit.

NEW 1/9 Our illustrated Year in Review recaps the events, issues, and people of 2003, so you can see at a glance how the settlements, grand jury reports, resignations, and other key events occurred.

I realize informing ourselves can be a painful experience however, sometimes doing the painful things enriches all of our lives. We, sadly, are living through a most difficult time in our Church and we must no longer be content to sit silently without either asking questions or objecting outright to many of the actions taken by our hierarchy.

The victims of abuse by members of our clergy and their subsequent re-abuse by members of the our hierarch has revealed the underpinnings of church operations and concerned Catholics need to let their voices be heard. The martyrs of this reformation are clearly visible to us and as Good Samaritans, we are called to reach out to them, care for them and confront whatever needs to be confronted within the structure of our Church.

Keep the Faith, Change the Church.

God Bless,

Mary Jane McGraw

November, 2003

Our efforts to increase awareness to the issues involving VOTF here in the Southland continue to move very, very, slowly. Without the flood of media coverage that our brothers and sisters in Boston had it seems that we are carrying on the battle with one hand tied behind our back. Our pastors are reluctant to allow true VOTF participation within the parish grounds. We have truly not experienced any outright bannings- just the brick wall of letters not answered or calls not returned or announcements not placed in bulletins.

Here are just a few of the “events” that have happened locally. The Survivors Network of those abused by Priests held a one day conference here in LA at the LAX Hilton… the speakers varied from our local police detectives to Bill Hodgman, Deputy District Attorney for LA, the assistant to California Attorney General Bill Lockear, reporters from the Times, LA daily journal and the young woman from Boston who’s reporting actually broke the first stories in the scandal. Psychologist and writer Richard Sipe, and attorney Jeff Anderson, from Minnesota. The day was overwhelming both mentally and emotionally for many of us. So much information, so many challenges and clearly inspiring that we need to be prepared for the long haul in getting this situation straightened out. It will truly require all of our energies and prayer.

December, 2003

Advent has taken on additional meaning for many of us in VOTF. The waiting and anticipation and anxiety is not only directed toward the upcoming celebration of Christmas but also the ending of the year long period of grace for victims of sexual abuse to file civil claims. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues to say that they are for openness and transparency yet, in fact, their attorneys continue to object to any opening of the files to the public. The issue of seeking the Archdiocese to “name” those priests substantially accused is for VOTF a necessary step in truly taking the lead in addressing the horrible crimes against children.

Unfortunately, accused pedophiles are residing in out local communities without any warning or identification. Our children are simply not protected when accused abusers are allowed to live among us with any notification to the communities in which they reside. This not only applies to our priests, but lay abusers as well who have been released from jail and had all criminal charges dropped following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Stogner case.. The situation is unstable to say the least.

Please continue your daily prayers for our Church!

VOTF Informational Reading

"Mahony Criticized By National Review Panel," by William Lobdell and Larry B. Stammer, Los Angeles Times, March 1, 2004.

"So 'History' Doesn't Repeat," by Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA Today, March 1, 2004.

"Report To The People Of God: Clergy Sexual Abuse - Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 1930 - 2003," Office of the Archbishop. February 17, 2004.
Click on the link to the "Report To The People Of God."
To find a listing of the priests and others who have been reported as potential abusers, scroll all the way to the "Footnotes" section at the end of the report.
A real eye-opener! Just more of his PR?

"Excerpts From The 'Causes and Context' Report On The Sexual Abuse Crisis In The U.S.," News Journal

"U.S. Bishops Report On Clergy Sex Abuse," by Joe Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter, February 27, 2004.

"Blessed By The Times, by Jeffrey Anderson, L.A. Weekly.
How the L.A.Times, unlike the Boston Globe, is protecting a cardinal who is more concerned with saving his own skin than in admitting the truth of the clergy child molestation scandal in his archdiocese, and in taking responsibility for keeping pedophile priests in service so they could be a menace to other children.

"Cardinal Sins" - How the Catholic Church, legal community, and PR machine are conspiring to protect Roger Mahony. by Jeffrey Anderson, L. A. Weekly.

"Reports Will Tell Only Part Of The Story," by Tom Roberts, National Catholic Reporter, February 27, 2004.
A very poignant and thought-provoking article.

Letter from Bill O'Sullivan of Bridgeport (Conn) VOTF to the Editor of Norwalk Hour

"Church Sex Scandal Not An Easy Story To Tell," Editorial, Springfield (MA) Republican.
How one newspaper struggled to finally throw the light of truth on a very sensitive story.

"Doing Penance: Catholic Church Officials Must Be Held Accountable For Sex-Abuse Scandal," Editiorial, Los Angeles Daily News, February 21, 2004.

"Mahony Comes Up Short," Editorial, Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2004.

"Commentary: A Portrait of Pain," by Bishop Wilton Gregory, Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2004. Bishop Gregory is the Chairman of the National Council of Catholic Bishops.

"Time For The Truth," an editorial by the staff of i observe, Western Mass. Catholic News Service (commentary on the resignation of Bishop Dupre of the Springfield, MA Archdiocese)

"John Jay Report Leak Whodunit," by Joe Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter, Feb. 18, 2004

"Duplicity Over Accountability / Catholic Church's Structure Encourages Arrogant Response To Its Scandals," by Joseph D'Hippolito, Orange County Register, Feb. 18, 2004

"Abuse Study Says 4% of Priests in U.S. Accused," by Michael Paulson, Boston Globe, 2/17/2004.

SPECIAL NOTICE!
The following link is to a page outlining a serious situation whereby Cardinal Mahony is allowing at least eight L.A. priests to serve in parishes in violation of the "zero tolerance" promise of the Dallas Charter adopted by the Catholic Bishops - and how you can become involved in protesting that practice.
At the bottom of the page, click on "Accused Priests Are Saying Mass in Los Angeles Parishes (2/06/04).
Cardinal Mahony Violates Bishops' Zero-Tolerance Promise

The Bishop Accountability Page on Cardinal Mahony and the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

"Boston Church In Deal Over Priest Who Fathered Kids," by Greg Frost, Reuters, Boston

"Church To Pay $3 Million In Rape," by William Lobdell and Jean Guccione, Los Angeles Times

"Bishop Accountability" - with some very interesting articles about Cardinal Mahony

"After The Earthquake," by Thomas G. Plante, America Magazine," January, 2004.

"Church ID's 15 Abusive Priests," by Ray F. Herndon, L.A. Times."

Letter from VOTF's president, Jim Post, on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of VOTF's first national convention in Boston, July 20, 2003.

"L.A. Archdiocese Financial Crisis" - Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, July 11, 2003

"Safeguarding The Children: An On-Going Committment" - by Ellie Hidalgo, The Tidings, July 11, 2003

"Ruling Shifts Focus To Church Documents" - AP, The N.Y. Times, July 16, 2003

"Troubleshooter Is Named To Lead Boston Catholics" - by Laurie Goldtein and Fox Butterfield, The N.Y. Times, July 2, 2003

"A Time For Boldness" - The Boston Globe , July 1, 2003

Reflections on the St. Louis Bishops' Conference by the VOTF Executive Director

To see a pertinent quote from Bishop Gregory as he opened the recent Bishops' Conference in St. Louis, go to Bishop Gregory Says It Like It Is! Was Cardinal Mahony really listening?

For updates from VOTF on the Bishops' Conference being held currently in St. Louis, go to: Bishops' Conference

"Governor Frank Keating's Resignation" - by Rev. Thomas Doyle

"I Have This Vision In My Head" - Tom Fox, Publisher, National Catholic Reporter

"A Clay-Footed Cardinal" - L.A. Times Editorial

"A Choice For The Bishops" - Boston Globe

"Keating Stands By Secrecy Charge" - Dallas Morning News

"Stonewalling" - L.A. Times

Keating's Resignation and Bishop Gregory's Response

"With No Apology" - Hartford, CT Courant

"Cardinal Sins" - Long Beach, CA Press-Telegram

SNAP rally at Cathedral on June 1, 2003

Letter To The Editor, L. A. Times, May 7, 2003, from Mary Grant, Regional Director, SNAP

"Brooklyn Bishop Rescinds Ban on VOTF Meetings" - letter from Steve Krueger, Executive Director, VOTF

"Officer Battles Personal Crime: He Can't Forget Molestation By The Priest" - by Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star, April 27, 2003.

"Bad Reasons For Quitting Church" - by Andrew Greeley, Chicago Sun Times, April 25, 2003

"Battling The 'Bunker Mentality'" - by Arthur Jones, National Catholic Reporter

"D.A. Subpoenas Files On 14 Priests In Sex Scandal" - by Richard Winton, Times Staff Writer, Newsday, April 25, 2003.

"Retired Priest Booked In Sex Case" - by Joe Sugura, Staff Writer, Long Beach Press Telegram.

"Accused Molester Is Still Priest" - by Jennifer Garza, Sacramento Bee, April 25, 2003

"A Nun's Story: What I Know About The Priest Scandal" - by Sr. Karol Jackowski, Religious News Online, April 22, 2003

"Letter To The Editor" - L.A. Times, April 22, 2003

"One Diocese's Early Warning On Sex Abuse" - by Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, April 22, 2003.

"Church Sued Over Man's Suicide" - by Jean Guccione & William Lobdell, L. A. Times, April 19, 2003

"During Holy Week At The Cathedral - A Man's Lonely Vigil" - by Steve Lopez, L. A. Times, April 18, 2003

"Priest's Belated Trial / Baker: Finally An Accused Molester of Young Boys Faces Justice" - EDITORIAL, Long Beach Press Telegram, April 16, 2003

"Tucson Diocese Priest: I'm Guilty" - by Stephanie Innes, Arizona Daily Star

"Catholic Church Still Won't Listen" - by Joan Vennochi, Boston Globe, April 15, 2003

"Alleged Abuse Victim Testifies Against Former Priest" - San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 2003

"Victim Begins Vigil at Cathedral" - by William Lobdell & Steve Hymon, Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2003

"One Year Later, Voice Of The Faithful Faces New Tests" - by Michael Paulson, Boston Globe, April 13, 2002

"LA Archdiocese Argues Against Release of Priest Files" - NBC4 News, April 1, 2003

"Church Disunity In The Priest Scandal" - The New York Times, April 9, 2003

"This Church Won't Budge" - by Eileen McNamara, Boston Globe Columnist, 4/02/2003

"Silencing Its Critics Shows Manchester Diocese Is Unchanged" - Concord Monitor Editorial, Concord, N.H., April 4, 2003

"Clock Stops In Sex Abuse Cases" - by Alan Cooperman, Washington Post, April 4, 2003

"Friars Sue L.A. Diocese" - by William Lobdell, Los Angeles Times, April 5, 2003.

"Church Needs A Deeper Accountability" - by Rosemary Ruether, Berkeley, CA - The National Catholic Reporter (Another Perspective)

"L.A. Archdiocese Seeks To Withhold Files In Sex Cases" - by William Lobdell & Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

"Bishop Bad Boy" - by Ron Russell, San Francisco Weekly, March 19, 2003.
Santa Rosa's charismatic Catholic bishop got busted shaking down a priest for sex. But he had friends in high places (including Los Angeles)- and they served him well.

"Judge: Fuse Priest Child Abuse Suits" - by Felisa Cardona - San Bernardino Sun

"High Court To Address Molestation Law" - by David Kravets, AP Legal Affairs Writer, Newsday - March 29, 2003

"Archdiocese Under Fire Over Files Access" - by Arthur Jones, Los Angeles, The National Catholic Reporter

"LA District Attorney Seeks Access To All Abuse Files" - by Arthur Jones, Los Angeles, The National Catholic Reporter

"Diocese Wants Boston To Pay" -by Joanna Corman, Inland Valley Voice," San Bernardino, CA - Los Angeles Times
San Bernardino church officials assert East Coast archdiocese liable in sex abuse case.

"Making Distinctions: A Bishop Defends His Actions" - by Arthur Jones, Los Angeles, The National Catholic Reporter

"Chronology of Sex Abuse in Southern California" - by Arthur Jones, Los Angeles, The National Catholic Reporter

New York Times article "Trail of Pain In Church Crisis Leads to Nearly Every Diocese" - by Laurie Goodstein (plus Carolyn Disco's letter correcting a key point in the article)

Seattle Times article by John D. Hough

"Keep The Faith, Change The Church" - by Richard Conklin (Notre Dame Magazine, Winter 2002-03 issue)