LI VOTF REGIONAL MEETING

DATE: August 11, 2005

TIME: 7:30 PM

LOCATION: Polish Hall, Riverhead, New York

The meeting was opened with a prayer led by the Prayer team.

Remarks and announcements by Pat Zirkel, Co-Chair LIVOTF:

We must rely on God to take care of us while, at the same time, work unceasingly for justice.
Do our best and the results are in God’s hands.
We are challenged to take up our cross and follow Him.

Msgr. Alan Place is listed as in the St. Aloysius Parish bulletin as an apparent “staff member”.
This gives the appearance of a priest in good standing and so a letter was written to Bishop
Murphy by Pat Zirkel and Dan Bartley, Co-Chairs of LIVOTF in protest. There has been no
response from Bishop Murphy.

The Liaison talks have ended. The Bishop’s Liaison team had not contacted the LI VOTF team,
as they said they would, since the last meeting on January 19, 2005. Therefore, the LI VOTF
team wrote to the Bishop’s Liaison team in July acknowledging the apparent cessation of the
talks.

Pat Zirkel and Dan Bartley, the LI VOTF Co-Chairs, followed up the LI VOTF Liaison team letter
with a letter to Bishop Murphy, stating that Bishop Murphy has failed his priests and undermined
dialogue by not continuing the liaison talks. To date, there has been no response from anyone
in the Diocese.
The three letters, as indicated above, are posted on the LI VOTF website.

REMARKS BY KEVIN CONNORS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Three years ago, a small group of concerned Catholics were looking for ways to respond to the filed leadership of our beloved Church. Now, LIVOTF has over 2500 members. Over those three years, the LIVOTF leadership has asked the members for advice and guidance and has encouraged participation via polls. LIVOTF has tried to become the change we want to see.
New challenges arise: technology, educational efforts, website updates as well as increased mailings. Your generosity has been overwhelming and nothing short of unbelievable. Your support enables us to be the voice of reform and to sing a new Church into being. We ask for your continued support as well as, if possible, increased support. Your generosity helps us to demand accountable leadership. Thank you.

PRESENTATION OF AN AWARD BY THE VIGILS COMMITTEE:

Leo Cuomo of the Vigils Committee awarded the first “Vigilant Vigiler” award to Bert Mileski as a tribute to her faithfulness and constant commitment to LIVOTF and its goals. Bert Mileski has been at almost every vigil and is a faithful and physical witness for the victims of sexual abuse by the clergy.

MISCELLANEOUS VIDEOTAPED REMARKS OF JUSTICE ANNE BURKE, MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL REVIEW BOARD:

“Why is it that when we work for the good of our Church and for change within the Church, we become frazzled, spent, wiped out and even questioning our own sanity?”

“When dealing with the hierarchy, always look for a hidden agenda.”

“After three years of working with the NRB, I have become more suspicious of the institutional power structure. I count my fingers and toes after any meeting.”

“Were it not for you (VOTF) the lid would not have come off the sex abuse scandal and subsequent cover-up by the hierarchy. VOTF stood up to the shenanigans.”

“The Catholics in the pew are mad and won’t take it any longer.”

“Accountability is the issue and it is here to stay.”

“Only because the USCCB had their backs to the wall, did they agree to even a reasonable level of accountability.”

“The Bishops set about to neuter the effects of the call to accountability. As soon as the pressure is off, the Bishops rush to erase the stress of accountability.”

“DO NOT LET UP! Remain champions of accountability.”

“We will no longer be afraid. It is the leadership who should be afraid.”

“No more business as usual. Circle the wagons together. We will not be diminished by power.”

“Keep the lamps lit and one eye on the door.”

MISCELLANEOUS VIDEOTAPED REMARKS BY DAVID CASTALDI, FORMER CHANCELLOR
OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON:

“The total direct cost of the sex abuse scandal will cost about two to three million dollars.
This was a total waste and did not have to happen.”

“The Diocese of Oregon is bankrupt.”

“Los Angeles has spent between 500 million and one billion dollars in response to the sex abuse scandal.”

“The Catholic Church is in a financial crisis.”

“How do we make productive changes in the Church? We must become constant advocates for accountability.”

“There will be no more passive Catholics.”

“VOTF is a sign of hope with your constant call to accountability.”

“Polls indicate that more than 2/3 of Roman Catholics want greater financial accountability.”

“Speak truth to power.”

AUDIENCE DISCUSSION AND FEEDBACK:

The membership was asked to consider this question “How have you changed since joining VOTF re your demand for greater financial accountability?” Then there was a two minute discussion with your neighbors and a ten minute open mike on the same topic.

INDIANPOLIS CONVOCATION:

LIVOTF members Tom Myles, Joan Hopkins and Carol Bongiorno reported on the activities at the convocation. It was unanimously agreed that it was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity for networking and hearing about the activities of other VOTF groups. We were challenged to be “adult” Catholics and demand accountability. The laity have many gifts from the Spirit that are being ignored by the hierarchy and other Church leaders. The mindset of those in power is not empowering of the many gifts of the laity. We must be less timid and we must speak out! We must challenge the leaders. A system of checks and balances is needed.

VIGILS COMMITTEE:

Leo Cuomo encouraged all to join with them at the Vigils. The next vigil is August 21st at St. Joseph’s in Kings Park and then September 11th at St. Agnes at 10 AM. Information re the vigils will be sent via email.

Penny Duggan read a letter that she received from a woman who was a victim of clergy sex abuse. This woman said that she remains living in the shadows and is not able to come forward yet but she thanked VOTF for the support.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next meeting is September 8th at the Unitarian/Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset.
Many of the members attending the meeting indicated that they found the postcard reminder for the Regional meeting helpful.

CLOSING PRAYER: LED BY THE PRAYER TEAM

Respectfully submitted:

Anne Kerrigan