Voice Of The Faithful of Long Island

The Voice of Eugene Kennedy

In the National Catholic Reporter of November 15, 2002, Eugene Kennedy likened Voice of the Faithful to Opus Dei and contrasted their respective treatments at the hands of the hierarchy. The aims of both are "almost identical". And yet, while the Voice is banned from meeting on church property, Opus Dei needs no official permission. Like Opus Dei, the Voice of the Faithful "exists so that its members may express their spiritual and moral convictions in the rough arena of the world". While Opus Dei members live a kind of hidden life, "Voice of the Faithful and the Boston Priests' Forum are open organizations, operating in the sunlight and fresh air, just what the church needs to heal itself and the children it has failed to protect." Kennedy concludes that the recalcitrant hierarchy will continue to suffer bad times until they

"understand that they have everything to gain from welcoming these wonderful priests and people as their allies. They would learn that these priests and people, whom they struggle to control are as loyal as Opus Dei, over which they have no control at all."

Eugene Kennedy, is emeritus professor of psychology at Loyola University Chicago