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Minutes
of the April 11, 2003, Meeting of
Voice of the Faithful—Long Island
North Babylon High School, North Babylon, N.Y.
The meeting was opened by Sheila Peiffer.
The opening prayer was led by Pat Zirkel
Kevin Connors,
Finance Committee. The Voice of the Faithful financial report was given.
The Voice of the Faithful operating fund reported a balance of $9,229,
and Voice of Compassion balance was $4,215.
It was also reported that distributions from the Voice of Compassion fund
were begun with disbursements to the 13 previously announced charities
totaling $3,250.
Phil Megna, Planning Committee informed the membership that the survey
would be distributed at the May meeting. It was announced that the Faith
Festival was scheduled for September 22, 2003 at the Huntington Hilton.
One of the speakers will be Fr. Richard McBrien and the hours will be
from 9a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eileen Weidig, Events Committee, reported that the voice of the Faithful is planning a mass for May 31, 2003 at 1p.m. The location will be announced at the next meeting.
Ann Hilbert,
Membership Committee, announced that there are now available decals, buttons
and other promotional material. These can be obtained through the local
Parish Voice affiliates. Items can also be ordered directly through LIVOTF
by using an order form.
An offer of help with any Parish Voice groups was reiterated and all members
were encouraged to participate in writing letters to the Bishop to express
their dismay at the ban from the parish facilities.
Membership sign up sheets were circulated.
Barbara Ashley, Priest Support, invited the membership to attend the Chrism Mass in support of priests. Everyone was reminded that the mass will begin at 11a.m. Parking is limited so the LIRR is recommended. An early arrival is also encouraged with available seating in mind.
Dan Bartley
and Sheila Peiffer reported on their meeting with Bishop William Murphy.
It was explained that the appointment was arranged by Pat and Don Aurriema
from St Hugh of Lincoln. The full description of the meeting is on the
website.
A brief list of topics was outlined. On the subject of Pastoral Councils
the Bishop was in favor, but not specific.
Regarding a Diocesan Council, Bishop Murphy was also positive but gave
no specifics.
On the subject of the Virtus Program, Sheila Peiffer voiced concern that
the diocese does not have a plan to effectively train all involved.
Dan Bartley raised the issue of the ban from church property. When confronted
with having been proven wrong about his previously stated reason for the
ban, namely that the VOTF does not follow church doctrine, Bishop Murphy
now states that the reason for the ban is that he does not trust VOTF.
His central complaint was that attendees of general meetings are critical
of the Bishop. Dan Bartley states that he believes the criticism is justified.
The ban remains in place.
The discrepancies in statements from the Bishop are also discussed. Messages
left on the answering machines of both co-directors state that the Bishop
is interested in meeting with representatives of LIVOTF. To the contrary,
Joanne Navarro stated to Newsday that the Bishop did not meet with LIVOTF,
but only with several Catholics.
The membership
broke into discussion groups to discuss possible actions that could be
taken by LIVOTF. These suggestions are put in the “Voice box”
and will be reported on at the next meeting.
Sheila Peiffer invites the membership to step up to the microphone and
share some thoughts.
Comments are as follows:
·
Does the bishop also not trust all the priests and deacons that belong
to LIVOTF?
· We need to have more prayer and liturgy. This is not something
we need the Bishops permission for.
· Sad that the Bishop treated our leadership so poorly. Time for
civil disobedience.
· Bishop Lennon turned down the VOTF Boston Voice of Compassion
donations but Catholic Charities overrides his decision and accepts the
donation.
· We must remember we are a centrist organization. We should not
do anything divisive.
· LIVOTF needs representative for 2007 Synod.
· Call to picket the bishop’s residence.
· Our strength lies in our finances and the media. Operate from
position of strength.
· We have to be activists.
The following letter was read to the Membership.
> To God
Squad,
> I have just finished reading your column from 3/8/03 and your
> observations regarding Voice of the Faithful on Long Island. I must
admit
> that I find your observations quite astounding. As a member of VOTF
and a
> parishioner of Good Shepherd in Holbrook, I want to voice my objections
to
> just about everything you said. In case I missed you at our VOTF
meetings
in
> the north Babylon high school during the last few months, it is difficult
to
> understand how you came to your conclusions. Those who are regular
members
> know that we begin our meetings with the Creed and everyone is given
the
> opportunity to affirm the truths of our faith. During the meetings
I have
> attended, I have never heard anyone ask for a change in the church's
stand
> against abortion or birth control. As for the celibacy and women
in the
> priesthood issues, I believe I have the right to at least discuss
the
> issues. As I learned in the Pastoral Formation Institute, in a dialogue
> where one side has all the answers, there is no room for mutual
discussions.
> Apparently you have all the answers. It still begs the question as
to who
is
> feeding you your information on VOTF. Please come to one of our meetings
and
> pray with us and see we want to be part of our renewed church.
> As a member of Good Shepherd parish for twenty five years, and one
who
> has given time, talent and treasure throughout these years, I am
insulted
> and angry by a bishop's decree that we cannot use our buildings to
gather
> and discuss how to make our church more responsive to our needs.
What are
> you all afraid of? We at Good Shepherd have a dark history of the
scandal
> which has so darkened the doors of our church, for we have had a
predator
in
> our midst. We have been betrayed by Brian McKeon, by the diocese
of
> Rockville Centre and, if my information is correct, by the pastor
in
> Northport who sent the predator to us without a word of warning.
> The church may not be a democracy but since we live in a democratic
> society, we have the right and obligation to be free to discuss our
> concerns. It is an insult that a bishop has taken our churches away.
The
> church hierarchy has not shown that it is capable of cleaning its
own
> house. You have lost the trust and confidence of many people and
it will
be
> a long time before it is restored. Taking away our ability to meet
in our
> church and making incorrect statements about our "agenda"
is not the way
to
> repair the loss of trust.
> It is my hope that someday we can be together as we work to renew
our
> wonderful church.
> Thank you,
> Ed Hartmann
Paper is handed out to the membership and time is set aside to write letters
to the Bishop.
Fr. Bill Brisotti spoke on Voice of the Ordained. It is explained that
VOTO was organized last fall and that they are also not allowed to meet
on church property. VOTO feels the support that VOTF is giving to the
priests but reminds us that the priests must really support each other.
The priests also have no voice in Rockville Centre and we are all in this
together. The Hippocratic Oath states “First do no harm” and
it is suggested that should also apply to the church. The church should
make it easier to be faithful, not more difficult.
Fr. Brisotti gave his email address
olmmbill@optonline.net
Sheila Peiffer thanks everyone for attending. All of us here serving wish you a blessed Holy Week and Easter.
The next regional meeting will be May 8, 2003
The meeting
is closed with the Our Father.