BishopAccountability.org
	More on the Tom Doyle-Bill Casey Dialog Voice from the Desert February 14, 2008 http://reform-network.net/?p=1420 I recently received via email the following letter to VOTF Board of Trustees Chair Bill Casey from Voice from the Desert reader Vincent J. Nauheimer. This letter extends the dialog, started on this blog, about priorities among VOTF's three goals: 1) supporting survivors of clergy sexual abuse; 2) supporting priests of integrity; and 3) shaping structural change in the church. * * * Dear Mr. Casey, Oh that the VOTF would write a cardinal or bishop with such fervor and distance themselves from them as easily as they do Tom Doyle. I pause to click my heels, yet I am still here. Such an ardent plea to remain the same, with the same institutions, the same leaders and the same blindness; it tears at my heart. Every person in my family was a victim of the insidious evil perpetuated by a corrupt hierarchy and yet they are still here. No one, including VOTF, likes to hear that they have failed. Yet failed they have; the proof of failure lies in the fact that the current church officials are the same ones who were in power in 2002. This also applies to Bernie Law who has only moved his base of operations from Boston to Rome. He still has a voice in approving U.S. bishops. VOTF, if their goal was to be an agent of change, has failed. This past year there have been several bishops who have, with total disregard for the Dallas Charter, failed to report abusive priests in their diocese and yet they are still here. Who can pat themselves on the back and say they have accomplished anything since 2002? During the course of my business career, I have worked for corporations large and small. If I have learned one thing, it is that nothing changes until the leadership changes. Why is that such a hard concept to understand? Bishops and cardinals only have power when power is given to them. If you stop believing in them, they have no power over you! It is that simple. If you refuse to finance them, they will become more toothless. You may believe in the concept of priests and bishops being representatives of God on earth, but I have to ask, "What god would want you to keep these miserable miscreants, who defend heinous acts of their priests, in power over his church?" Certainly not the Jesus I've read about. Speaking of the church, take a good hard look at the record of the current "church officials." Under their auspices, attendance at mass has dropped, schools have closed, churches have closed, and they have presided over the biggest, ugliest, and most disgusting scandal to hit the church in modern times. Now there is a list of accomplishments everyone can be ashamed of, but they are still here. Remember, the Clergy Abuse Scandal was your womb! Two thousand two was your gestation period. How dare you distance yourself from the one voice who has given so many survivors a voice? Time has opened up Tom Doyle's eyes. It has been interesting watching that transformation over the past several years. I have seen it before, I watched it in myself. Hopefully, VOTF's journey will be a shorter one because you have incontrovertible proof of the contempt the hierarchy has for anyone who challenges its power. My lesson cost me dearly. I have also seen VOTF become a little more aggressive and was impressed with the effort that was made to keep George out of the office of president of the USCCB. However well intentioned, he is still here. In time the wisdom of Tom Doyle's words may penetrate the hardened ears of cradle Catholics. Maybe they won't. It matters not to me because like Tom, I have found spirituality. It is said that religion is for those that are afraid of going to hell and spirituality is for those who have already been there. If you can shed your belief in the hierarchy for a moment and take a candid look at what they really are, you might be inclined to prevent others from having to go through hell to find spirituality. It's your church, take it back! Sincerely, Vincent J. Nauheimer PS: There are many references to the current hierarchy in the bible, here is one of several that are appropriate. Ezekiel 13: 21-23: Your veils also I will tear off, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand as prey; and you shall know that I am the Lord. Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not disheartened him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his wicked way to save his life; therefore you shall no more see delusive visions nor practice divination; I will deliver my people out of your hand. Will you help him?
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