Voice Of The Faithful of Long Island

VOTF Officers INTERACT with the USCCB

VOTF president Mary Pat Fox delivered a petition signed by over 8,000 Catholics to the Most Reverend Gregory Aymond, Bishop of the Diocese of Austin and Chair of the Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The meeting was described as positive by Mary Pat who was encouraged by the bishops’ concern for survivors and the protection of children. They discussed the need to make the victim assistance coordinator information easily accessible and the importance of safe environment training. The meeting took place in Baltimore on Friday, November 10, 2006.

Mary Pat Fox and national secretary Gaile Pohlhaus met with Patricia Ewers, chair of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) National Review Board on Monday Nov. 13 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, site of the USCCB meeting. They discussed the review board’s plans for more complete audits starting next year once the initial compliance issues were complete. Dr. Ewers also expressed the willingness of board members to speak to affiliates in their area.

All the U.S. bishops received an open invitation to meet with the two attending national officers, Mary Pat and Gaile, on Monday of the USCCB meeting. While no bishop was able to accept the invitation, there were several opportunities to engage with bishops in the lobby. Affiliate leaders also noted their own communications with local bishops.

On Monday of the USCCB meeting the bishops voted unanimously to release funds earmarked for the causes and context of sexual abuse by clergy. Meanwhile VOTF will continue to push for full funding and the Vineyard will keep you up to date on the preliminary results of the study, which are expected sometime next year.

VOTF National organized a screening of the new documentary “Deliver Us From Evil” held on Monday of the USCCB meeting at a local theater in Baltimore. About 60 people attended the screening which was followed by a lively panel discussion with Barbara Blaine, President of SNAP and John Moynihan from the VOTF national office.

The Washington, DC area affiliates gathered for the third consecutive year on the eve of the US bishops meeting to view the new documentary “Hand of God” – read the affiliate report in AFFILIATE Highlight under DIOCESE/State Watch.