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Voice of the Faithful has not developed many policy positions to date,
and those we have developed focus on the sexual abuse crisis. We have
said that the Church has a responsibility to respond to survivors in a
meaningful, healing way. VOTF in Ireland also strongly supports the
broad approach to abuse outlined in the document
Towards Healing
from the Irish
bishops conference, February 2005, and will cooperate with our hierarchy
in that programme.
We have said that bishops and laity in each diocese should engage in a
serious and substantive dialogue. We have said that the structures of
decision-making that gave rise to this crisis - secrecy and deception -
should be exposed to the healing power of sunlight and disclosure. We
say also that it is high time for Irish bishops to respond to
the call made to them by Pope John Paul
II in 1999 to establish 'structures of belonging' in our Irish
church.
These
policies make sense. These policies respond to the crisis facing our
Church. These policies address the real problems confronting parish
priests, bishops, and laity.
To state more specifically what we do and do not stand for:
* Voice of the Faithful is focused on those actions necessary to respond
to survivors, to support priests who are living their vows, and to
effect structural change that will help ensure this type of abuse never
occurs again in the Catholic Church and will ensure also the development of
our church.
* We accept the teaching authority of the Catholic Church.
* We have taken no position on the many other issues that divide
Catholics at this time, because division is not our agenda and the healing of
recent wounds and the restoration of healthy relationships must take
priority over everything else.
* We do not endorse any organizations or interest groups.
* We do promote a full and open discussion about the root causes of the
sexual abuse crisis and the remedies that are needed.
* We do take the position that the bishops and the Vatican have failed
to address the sexual abuse crisis and its causes and consequences
adequately.
* We do take the position that bishops fail in their role as shepherds
and teachers when they refuse to engage the laity in a meaningful and
substantive discussion of the issues.
* We do take the position that Pope John Paul II rightly called clergy
sexual abuse "crimes," and a "shame and scandal" for the Catholic
Church - and that his call for 'structures of belonging' in the Irish
Church needs a response.
* We do believe that cleaning up this culture of deception and scandal
is job No. 1 for the bishops.
Voice of the Faithful will stay true to its mission and goals. We will
support survivors of clergy sexual abuse. We will support priests in the
faithful discharge of their ordination vows and promises. And we will work for structural
changes that help ensure that clergy sexual abuse does not occur again
in the Catholic Church and that lay people are included in governance
and guidance of the church.
Ours will remain a philosophy of "centrism," of providing a voice for
all people in the Catholic Church. In this way, we will "Keep the Faith
and Change the Church."
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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
1. To support
survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
2. To support priests of integrity
3.To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.
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