BishopAccountability.org
	U.S. Catholics Urged to Re-Direct Peter's Pence Papal Collection Donation to Non-Church Charities Voice from the Desert June 24, 2010 http://reform-network.net/?p=5820 This Sunday June 27, during peaceful nationwide statements of objection to the Pope's unacceptable response to the clergy sex abuse and cover up scandal, we urge all U.S. Catholics to re-direct their Peter's Pence papal collection donation to a non-church charity. The Pope's response to the clergy sex abuse and cover up scandal has been woefully inadequate, lacks a sense of urgency, is long on words and symbols, and has been void of substantive actions. In brief, the Pope's response has been unacceptable. The Peter's Pence collection on June 27 provides Catholics a unique opportunity to cast a NO vote of confidence in the Pope because of his unacceptable performance in addressing forcefully and effectively the ongoing clergy sex abuse and cover up scandal, in supporting adequately survivors of abuse, and in protecting our children. The grassroots group Send the Bishops a Message urges all Catholics in the USA to prayerfully and thoughtfully consider re-directing the donations that they would ordinarily earmark for the Peter's Pence collection on Sunday June 27 (http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-108.shtml) to a non-church charity. For more information on this Sunday June 27 initiative, go to our website: http://www.sendthebishopsamessage.com/index.html There are two ways you can help make Sunday a successful national event. Be a leader or "Parish Messenger." Get the word out to fellow parishioners by distributing our Peter's Pence Penny Flyer (see attached MS Word file) to Mass attendees as they enter church. Open the file, change the local contact information at the bottom, print it, fold it in thirds, and distribute it. See http://www.sendthebishopsamessage.com/06152010pressrelease.html to read more information for Parish Messengers—including our rule about staying off church property as we distribute the flyers. Other ways most of us can help. Do any or all of the following: 1. Put a penny into the Peter's Pence collection plate, instead of your usual donation, to protest the Pope's unacceptable response to the scandal. 2. Donate what you would ordinarily give to the Peter's Pence collection to a non-church charity (we recommend parishioners consider giving to two organizations that help survivors: the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) (https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/SNAP/OnlineGiving.htm ) and/or Road to Recovery International (http://www.road-to-recovery.org/page/support-road-recovery) ) 3. Send a penny to the Papal Nuncio at the Vatican Embassy at: Peter's Pence Collection The Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See 3339 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 4. Wear GREEN to Mass on Sunday. We urge all people who will be participating in our Sunday June 27 Peter's Pence statement to wear the color GREEN to church. No, it's not St. Patrick's Day in late June. No, it's not a call to environmental activism. Wear GREEN because it's the color of MONEY. Wearing GREEN says to fellow parishioners, priests, and the press that we are using the power of the purse to send a loud and clear message to church officials to address this terrible scandal with transparency and total honesty and treat survivors of clergy sexual abuse in accordance with the good neighbor principles of the Good Samaritan parable. If you have questions or comments please contact: Frank Douglas, Tucson, AZ; (520) 404-2489 frankdouglas62@yahoo.com
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