News & Issues
Is Catholic Reform dead? - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5-12-08 Those reading Time magazine this week may have concluded after reading an article by David Van Biema that the Church needs no further reforms. Those of us serving in the trenches on this issue think otherwise. It was the culture within the hierarchy and the lack of lay involvement in our Church that helped enable the scandal, which so far has revealed more than 11,000 cases of abuse and cost over $2.5 billion in settlements. The gains towards reform are real in some dioceses and parishes where clergy and laity work together. But there’s still a lot to do. (full story) |
Second trial in Diocese of Cleveland alleged theft - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5-12-08 The boss of a former Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland accountant who was convicted of funneling $784,000 in kickbacks goes on trial today on multiple charges that include making false personal income tax returns, money laundering, mail fraud and conspiracy. Jury selection was set to begin in U.S. District Court in the trial of Joseph Smith, the diocese’s former chief financial officer. The accountant, Anton Zgoznik, was convicted in October of conspiracy and 14 other charges. (full story) |
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson's U.S. tour - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Most Rev Geoffrey James Robinson DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Australia, will will begin his U.S. visit later this month. The bishop will be speaking at several VOTF affiliate meetings and VOTF co-sponsored gatherings. Bishop Robinson had been appointed by the Australian Bishops Conference and for nine years headed up the Conference’s Committee for Professional Standards, which developed procedures for responding to victims of sexual abuse. Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus is the title of his book, soon to be released in the U.S. The book, now in its fourth printing in Australia, has received much attention. (full story) |
Churches, synagogues feel economic pinch - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5-12-08 With the economy down and needs up for the homeless, the hungry and the elderly, donations to South Florida churches and other religious institutions are straining to keep up with soaring needs, leaders say. At the Miami Archdiocese, collection-plate revenues are steady, but assessments that individual parishes pay are slow in coming or are down, and needs are up sharply, resulting in the layoff of 49 of the 182 staffers at its Pastoral Center on Biscayne Boulevard, says spokeswoman Mary Ross Agosta. (full story) |
Latin-language documents available online - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5-9-08 Without fanfare, the Vatican's www.vatican.va site has made hundreds of papal and other documents available in a new Latin-language section. The Latin area went live May 9. Visitors clicking on "Sancta Sedes" (Latin for "Holy See") are taken to a menu of documents arranged by pontificate or Roman Curia office. Also posted is the complete neo-Vulgate Latin version of the Bible and Latin editions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Code of Canon Law and the documents of the Second Vatican Council. (full story) |
Many new priests in their 30s, foreign-born - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5-11-08 The age and nationality of many of the new priests to be ordained in the United States this year continues a trend of recent years as more foreign-born men in their mid-30s are entering the priesthood. The average age for this year's ordinands is 36 for diocesan priests and 39 for priests joining religious orders. About 30 percent of new priests are between 25 and 29 years of age and about 39 percent are in their 30s, according to a national study. Of this year's 401 ordinands, 335 responded to the CARA survey. (full story) |
Pentecost Sunday - Sunday, May 11, 2008
Acts 2:1-4 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (full story) |
Church punishes priests but protects bishops - Sunday, May 11, 2008
5-10-08 Several times in recent months, Bishop Carlos Sevilla, the Yakima, Wash., clergyman has had to defend himself against accusations that he concealed sexual misconduct by priests and employees"Our diocese has repeatedly erred on the part of protecting offending clerics," said Robert Fontana, a former Yakima Diocese employee who now works with an activist group, Voice of the Faithful. "There is no mechanism in place to challenge the bishop's behavior except media exposure and lawsuits. We still haven't gotten beyond that. That's amazing to me." (full story) |
Bishop creates committee to stop theft - Sunday, May 11, 2008
5-9-08 A new financial controls committee will help prevent fraud and misappropriation in parishes in the Buffalo Catholic Diocese. Bishop Edward Kmiec created the committee in February. Members first met with the Bishop on May 7th. The committee will work with the diocese to refine the present policy and procedure manual for parish business practices and finances. "In light of recent isolated breaches of honesty and integrity, we plan to strengthen compliance with the internal control system in our parishes," said Bishop Kmiec. (full story) |
Pastor suspected of stealing - Sunday, May 11, 2008
5-10-08 The pastor of two small south Omaha Roman Catholic parishes has been placed on leave after archdiocesan officials discovered that more than $83,000 was missing from one of the churches, St. Bridget. The Omaha Archdiocese reported the matter to police on Friday as a theft. The Rev. Rodney Adams is known to many active Catholics throughout Omaha as the archdiocese's urban diaconate director. As such, he directed the formation and training of permanent deacons. (full story) |
News & Issues Archive
|
|
|
|
Voice of the Faithful-Atlanta
is the Atlanta affiliate of National Voice of
the Faithful, founded in Boston
in January, 2002 in response to the sex abuse scandal. VOTF is working to
prevent further abuse, scandal and cover-up. VOTF-Atlanta was formed in April,
2003 to promote the mission and goals of VOTF in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The Mission of VOTF is:
To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the
Faithful (who comprise more than 99% of the Church) can actively participate in
governance and guidance of the Catholic Church.
The Goals of VOTF are:
- To support those who have been abused.
- To support priests of integrity.
- To help shape structural or cultural change within the Church, in order
to help prevent further abuses and scandals.
More
VOTF takes no position on other issues of dogma, doctrine and discipline that
face the Church today. A mainstream, centrist organization of concerned,
faithful Catholics who acknowledge the teaching Magisterium and spiritual
direction of the hierarchy, VOTF has nearly 40,000 registered members in 207
affiliates in 50 states and 39 countries. Please
join us in our efforts to heal and restore our beloved Church.
Pray Each Day at Noon
Jesus, Lord and Brother, help us with our faithfulness. Please hear our voice
and let our voice be heard. Amen.
More
Prayer for Priests
Heavenly Father, grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power
of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them
courage and wisdom. We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see
in them the love and care of Jesus, our Eternal High Priest, who is Lord for
ever and ever. Amen.
 |
