After discussion among Strategy Committee members regarding current movement on the part of the bishop/diocese to lift the ban on use of diocesan/parish facilities by VOICE of the Faithful, consensus was reached on the following observation:

The only aspect of the identity, mission and agenda of LI-VOTF that is affected by the ban - and therefore would be affected by the reversal of the ban - is the location of our meetings.

There should be no discussion on our part of altering our stated goals and purposes simply based on 'official recognition' on the part of the diocese. Should the ban be lifted, we, in all likelihood, will not be in a position to make assumptions about the motivations and strategies behind that decision, nor about what it portends for the future. It will simply designate a possible change in venue for our meetings. The benefits that would result (i.e., financial, publicity, membership considerations) are internal to LI-VOTF and should not even be widely publicized as 'benefits.' We have consistently held the position that meeting in our church buildings is our right. If that right is restored after having been denied for almost two years, it should not be an occasion for celebration, triumphalism or expressions of gratitude. We would simply and quietly - and with authority - assume our right to use our buildings and bulletins when and where it serves the best purposes of our mission.

From its inception VOTF has had three major goals. These goals have been appropriated at the local level by VOTF chapters according to the issues and needs of their diocesan situation. Because we are dealing with a hierarchy that has been implicated in the 'worst case' cover-up situation, a hierarchy that has not responded satisfactorily to victims of abuse and has lagged behind in implementing procedures to prevent future abuse, we have had to focus disproportionate energy on the relationship with our bishops. Unfortunately - perhaps unavoidably - we have allowed this adversarial relationship to define our public image and much of our private dialogue.

It was the charge and the hope of the Strategy Committee to set an agenda for the future that would define LI-VOTF by its positions and goals rather than by its responses and reactions. We need to be immovable in both speaking the truth and expecting the truth from Church leaders. We believe that we have been called by the Spirit to be a prophetic voice rooted in the Gospel. Our primary organizational goal must be to never compromise that position as we engage and challenge diocesan representatives in order to accomplish our other stated goals. In all our positions and all our actions we must demonstrate the integrity, courage, and pastoral concern for the Church as a whole that we are demanding of the hierarchy and of our pastors. We must accept Paul's challenge to "Speak the truth with love," and continue to make known our expectation that our bishops and pastors will do the same. Truth, integrity and the Gospel values from which we speak and act empower us and give us the only authority we need to effect change in the Church.

In offering our strategic planning recommendations to the LI-VOTF Board at this time, we on the Strategy Committee would like to suggest the following context (as a general VOTF foundational mission/belief/position platform) within which these recommendations might be more effectively considered and in which our plans for carrying out these recommendations might be grounded. As an organization, VOTF needs to more fully appropriate and remain centered in the Gospel values and prophetic origins from which we have grown. We would like to see VOTF core values consistently and clearly expressed at all events and meetings and in all our communications and pronouncements - to membership, to the general public, and to the hierarchy. We believe that this clear, consistent proclaiming of who we are should include the following:

1. We are a fully legitimate, faith-filled, Spirit-directed organization of the Catholic Church. All our actions and communications should be rooted in this genuine authority. Our authority empowers us to communicate in an open and respectful manner while never compromising our mission and never abandoning the truth. As an organization of integrity, we need not justify our existence, defend our activities, nor react to the climate of clericalism and deference that surrounds us.
2. The three goals of VOTF are not 'negotiable.' They remain our focus and our mission regardless of whether or not we have 'official' recognition from the diocese. They are not 'bargaining chips'; they are our gifts to the Church.
3. Dialogue among Catholic people is a necessity for a thriving Church. We expect to participate in authentic dialogue on all Church levels. We believe this is necessary in order to advance lay participation in the Church as was recommended by the Second Vatican Council. The areas of participation include, but are not limited to, functional pastoral councils and finance councils at the parish and diocesan levels, as well as educational and formational programs.
4. Likewise, we expect to participate in the structures and programs mandated by the Dallas Charter to ensure the safety of children and the education and oversight of all in the Catholic community who can effect the safe environment necessary to avoid future abuse.
5. Because the Church hierarchy has the responsibility and the resources to thoroughly implement all necessary structures and programs, the role of LI-VOTF should be one of support, oversight, and (when needed) challenge. We would like to serve as a guide dog, but we will assume the role of watchdog when needed. We would like to be the helpful tugboat nudging the listing grand old ocean liner into safe harbor for repairs ~ and out to sea again; but if our efforts are refused, we can also serve as the 'Coast Guard' to ensure safe waters.

Speaking Truth to Power

As we continue our Spirit-directed attempts to speak truth to power, we would do well to recall the Gospel origins of that power and take instruction from the ways that Jesus dealt with the human frailty of those to whom he entrusted the keys of the Kingdom. In Matthew 16, v. 19, Jesus confers this honor and authority on Peter, 'the first Pope.' But by v. 23 we already have Peter giving us perhaps the first instance of putting the 'institution' before Jesus' mission. As Matthew's gospel tells it, Peter wants to avoid what Jesus sees as the approaching crisis of his death and rising. Peter prefers the known order of things to the risk of the unknown, which is where Jesus is taking his disciples. Jesus loved Peter but delivers here with clarity and courage one of the strongest rebukes in the gospels: "Get behind me, Satan!" If we can remain prayerfully attuned to the Spirit and focused on our Spirit-inspired mission, we will be given the authority, clarity, and courage to speak truth to power . . .but only if we are committed to truly speaking that truth in love.

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