To discuss recent developments and the forthcoming visitation of the Irish Church by five prominent churchmen, VOTF members will be meeting at the Carrickdale Hotel on June 26th, 2010 - 10.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m.  Members intending to be there should let us know, using the contact details given on the 'Contact Us' page of this website  (See the link at foot of this page.)

2009 was an extraordinary year in the history of the Irish Catholic church, culminating in the Murphy Report on the Archdiocese of Dublin.  This was followed by other shocks in early 2010, and by a pastoral letter from Pope Benedict XVI.  On foot of his call for a renewal of faith and mission in Ireland, we in VOTFI are  prepared to cooperate fully in any sincere attempt to rebuild trust between hierarchy and people.

Our test for sincerity will be whether there will in future be regular structured opportunities for bishops to listen to the legitimate questions and concerns of the people of God.  The deliberate denial of such opportunities, despite the fact that they were promised by Vatican II, has been the single greatest weakness of the Irish church - although that weakness is not confined to Ireland alone. 

2010 will also also see the culmination of the ongoing inquiry into the diocese of Cloyne, presently being conducted by the Dublin commission.  It is too early to say if other dioceses will also be investigated by the commission, but the NBSCCC has now announced an audit of all Irish dioceses, beginning with Raphoe.  It is possible that if these audits give cause for concern, other dioceses would follow the example of Cloyne in being referred to the Murphy commission.

2010 will also now see a high level papal visitation of the Irish church, as announced in the papal pastoral - led by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor.  The announcement of the visitation team declared also that it will be investigating the needs of abuse survivors and the arrangements for child safeguarding in the Irish church.  We hope it will be paying attention to the declaration of the chairman of the NBSCCC that structural reform of the Irish church is necessary, to develop co-responsibility for child safety between priests and people.  We will be seeking an opportunity to put that case also to the visitation team, and the case for a determined effort on the part of the church leadership to tackle the problem of clericalism, and lay clericalism, in the Irish church.

The crisis we are living through has thrown a spotlight on the failures of individual bishops, leading to the obvious conclusion that those individuals should be replaced.  However, this will not be sufficient to end the crisis.  The current aristocratic leadership culture of the church creates far too much distance between bishops and people.  The crisis will therefore continue until this problem is resolved.

We Irish Catholics are undoubtedly still in deep crisis, but the foundation of our church is our faith in the power of the risen Christ, and of the Holy Spirit of Pentecost, to restore us all to new life.  We believe 2010 could be a turning point, and will do our utmost to be part of that. 

VOTF™
Mission Statement

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.

Our Goals

2. To support priests of integrity

3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.

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