Minutes
LI-VOTF Regional Meeting - Sept. 9, 2004

I. Opening Song/Prayer

II. Opening Remarks - Announcements -- Pat Z

- Ballots for Board Election - boxes in the rear of room to receive these
- Survey Forms - to be mailed in only
- Parish Audit Forms - Return to Tom Myles

III. Update on Liaison Committee - Dialogue Progress
- Update on Bishop's team's response to our requests for further meetings
- Update on responses to the poll (#s received to date; not discussion of results
- Dan reads the letter from the team. Invites comments from members . . .

-- S. Regina McAuley, Sister of St. Joseph -- introduces herself as a
Nominee for the board; reads the statement she is submitting with her poll response: she feels a period of prayer is necessary to find a way
to proceed; cautions against 'angry demonstrations.'

-- Unidentified female member: Collection envelopes would be a very loud
voice (in response to S. Regina's claim that the bishop 'holds all the cards.'

IV. -- Gene Zirkel - condemns arrogance of 'our leaders' -- feels they are not
reading the gospels or in prayer. Why must we first do all the giving,
even before we can have dialog? Openness and truth vs. falseness;
responding in kind to their devious, deceitful letters. We need to hold
to our demands for a representative council with lay representation, financial accountability, etc. . . . goes thru some of the history . . .
" Let us remember, there is no hurry in our responding to him (the
Bishop"

-- Eileen -- We must remember why we're here for the abused. Remember
the history - not only in Boston, but also here on LI. The bishop is constantly claiming to be taking appropriate steps, but the diocese only acts after they are pushed and embarrassed into it. Cites case of Kings Park -- parish, diocese, and bishop did nothing even after being told of the history of a conflicted, self-admitted 'serial pedophile'. "We have an obligation to stand up against this person who is totally immoral. We must stand up and demand his resignation - not only on financial grounds but on moral grounds and because of his inability to lead.

-- Barbara Ashley -- goes over some history of prior bishops -- McGann,
McHugh . . . Murphy has just shown us how good a liar he is. He is not fit to be spiritual leader of the diocese. We initially came together because we felt BWM was not the right person to lead the diocese; now --after two years - we know he is not.

-- Penny D -- relates story of service man who came to her house and related
he had been abused at age 6. Went to a parish priest who counseled
him to contain feelings and continue 'getting on with life.' Penny ministered to him and was the first person he told his whole story to.
She referred him to Snap and to Fr. Bob Hoatson . . .
Penny urges everyone not to give up on our demands/agenda -- states that Murphy wants to leave here having defeated us (VOTF); but we should not let him. (She indicates that there are rumors that he (BWM) will be transferring to Rome to be with his friend, Cardinal Law.)

-- Unidentified male member -- speaks of our role as laity -- in re film we are
going to see -- subtitle (re clericalism) - we are all laity, even priests. We are all equal by virtue of baptism. We must be aware of the power we have as laity. Important to educate ourselves,

--Lisa Braglia -- The Bishop's letter and his resistance to everything we ask for
has more to do with is his hurt feelings and his money. But we need to focus on what we (VOTF) are called to do. Quotes Arthur Austin (victim who spoke . . . "Time has come when V . . .

-- Ed Hartman, Good Shepherd Parish, Holbrook -- they have had a predator in
their homes. In memory of the three families destroyed by this predator priests, he encourages us to vote: No, No, No on the survey. Don't give up.

--Marty Kerrigan - realizes from comments stated that we have passions to
respond. We must remember how the dialog was initiated -- that the priests invited this process. Marty urges strategizing and continued dialogue. "We don't choose our enemies ... and we are right in what we are trying to do . . . but unless we win, all our efforts won't matter." He feels that mediators and facilitators might bring more success.

Don Zirkel - reads a statement -- those who hope the bishop's position will
change to a point of collaboration. We were invited to a discussion/listening process -- not happening. The bishop's representatives have put forth demands that really cut off dialog. The letter leaves little room for dialogue but demands that we give in to their conditions. Recommends that we continue to push for BWM's resignation.

--Bill Benison - psychologist - seen a lot of pain. Refers to Project Millstone
on our website: Something Tom Doyle states Project Millstone seeks to hold bishops accountable . . . back thru 1985 . . . Suggests that that process should be attended to in order to achieve accountability. Suggests we seek support of Tom Doyle or another cannon lawyer to hold Murphy accountable. We need to be looking at the universal picture.

Steve - Roslyn Presbyterian church - abused as a 17-yr-old at a local
university -- commends VOTF. Suggests that we consider doing a large vigil in Rockville Centre - recommends that we use the media more effectively.

Peg Churla -- has raised 7 children - trying to teach them to turn to the church
in times of need . . . .strong belief that it is 'our church..' Complains of difficulty of VOTF not being able to meet in church, to be community. How do we explain to our children that a bishop says it’s 'okay' to abuse our children. Can't believe that our church has said 'yes' to that. After reading the letter, was instinctively angry; then prayerful. But conclusion is that if she were to agree to the demands in the letter, she would be abandoning the most important values of the Gospel.

Dan's retakes the microphone: suggests that members take the letter to their priests and show them the bishop's response not only to us, but because the talks were initiated at their request, the letter is also a response to their courageous efforts to bring about the dialogue.

Pat Z -- introduces the film . . . reminds audience that Tom Doyle began speaking up in 1985 . . . and has had difficulties within the church ever since. Intro and rest of story are in the film.

The film is shown.

Pat Z-- invites comments on the film

Those invited to comment as 'panelists' --

John Ryan -- speaking on behalf of Fr. Bob Hoatson who could not be here -- Re the video and Fr. Tom Doyle's experiences; John feels that Fr. Bob H. would say that the whole weight of clericalism had weighed on him when he went public with his history of abuse and spoke on behalf of other victims. In re Bishop Murphy -- that even if he is innocent of what he has been accused of (direct involvement in cover-up and in transferring abusive priests, putting children at risk, etc.) -- even if Murphy were proven innocent of those charges, it would still remain that any bishop who remains so deeply enmeshed in the clerical culture as Murphy is, is not the right person to lead our diocese.

Fr. Andy Connelly -- referring to the film -- his experience of priests throughout the system, but especially in our diocese - they do not have the experience of working with the rejects of the society in which they live. They are sheltered from the truly wounded (victims) and the poor.
Also, he recently spoke with Fr. Tom Doyle who says he is doing well and would be very happy to reschedule his appearance on LI which had to be cancelled back in April.

Carole Bonjourno - co-director of NW Nassau PV cluster -- What she took from the film is affirmation of the empowerment of the laity which she has experienced in her own life. Speaks of her own history of having been in denial; but now that her eyes are opened, she knows personally what being empowered as laity means.

-- speaks of the experience of faith; our responsibility as lay persons to be formed and informed and to seek and speak the truth.

Floor is opened to membership comments --

Pat Dwyer -- Couldn't agree more with the content of the film and with all that was said before by our membership in response to the letter and survey. She sees the enemies as the hierarchy in Rome . . . beyond the local bishops in this country. Relates story of a priest involved with Vatican Radio in Rome . . . commentators for Vatican Radio are forbidden to mention the sex abuse stories. She feels that our bishops have been trained as CEOs and will continue to be rewarded for their loyalty. Cites the problem of the loss of young people -- of a whole generation of young Catholics is being driven from the church by the scandals.

Gloria Grace, St. Dom's Oyster Bay -- a suggestion: educate ourselves. She went to the library to get whatever books she could. We have an obligation to educate ourselves in order to take responsibility for our parishes and our church.

Pat Z: Closing announcements --
Next meeting October 14 at UUCSR, Manhasset
Donald Cossins at St. Ann's Brentwood this Sunday
SNAP Conference in Connecticut

Dan B. -- had read a book recently on how organizations grow. Most important factor in organizational growth is personal contact and invitation. Encourages people to go out and proclaim their involvement with VOTF and encourage membership.

Closing prayer.

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