Naples" Voice of the Faithful Marks 10 Years of Questioning Catholic Hierarchy

Naples Daily News
May 19, 2012

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/may/19/naples-voice-of-the-faithful-marks-10-years-of/

Voice of the Faithful (VOF) was formed nationally in 2002, in the wake of the wave of publicity surrounding "pedophile priests," Catholic clergymen who molested children, and the long cover-up by the church hierarchy. The local group was established the same year.

"We have three goals — to protect and support survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, to support priests of integrity in any way we can, and to reshape the institutional Catholic Church — the bureaucracy."

On Wednesday, Feb. 29, the local group, about 75 of approximately 400 total members locally, met for an anniversary Mass in the cafeteria at St. Matthew's House, the homeless shelter on Davis Boulevard in East Naples. Surrounded by the prep work of an institutional kitchen, a retired Catholic priest, the Rev. Thomas Glackin, set up his candle and chalice of wine on a folding table, and offered comfort and Holy Communion to the VOF members. He spoke of Bishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, "who lost his voice for speaking truth to power. None of the bishops stood with him, and he was assassinated," recounted Glackin.

VOF of SW Florida would rather have celebrated Mass in a Catholic church, any of the nine in the Naples area, but they have been banned from meeting on any property of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, said Clark.

"The Bishop won't let any of our speakers in any church, and he has not allowed us to have a Mass," she said.

The stance of the church is to ignore the group entirely, she said, which was confirmed by a spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Venice, Florida.

"The group which calls itself 'Voice of the Faithful' has been banned by numerous dioceses throughout the country, including the Diocese of Venice," wrote Diocese of Venice Director of Communications Billy Atwell in an email. "It has been the experience of the Diocese of Venice that while this group claims to promote dialogue and cooperation, in reality it pursues an agenda that is not in conformity with the teachings of the Catholic faith.

"The group has advertised and endorsed speakers who publicly dissent from Church Doctrine. This is not a question of freedom of speech or the simple 'exchange of ideas.' The Diocese does not have to give speakers a platform to speak against the Church and Her teachings."

In a faith that emphasizes obedience to official doctrine and reverence for the priesthood, it has been wrenching for parishioners to publicly make demands from the bishops, but that is what they are doing, said Clark.

"We're working toward having the Bishop answer some questions," she said. Among the questions are why the Voice of the Faithful has been banned – cast out – by the diocese, with a letter from Bishop Dewane instructing his priests they "are not considered Catholics," said Clark, and "they are not to have anything to do with us."

VOF wants to know why they are excluded from church property and church activities. They want to know why they are not allowed to solicit help for groups including St. Matthew's House and Habitat for Humanity, which they have traditionally supported.

"Your Excellency, you understand we made commitments to charity. For what reason are you not allowing solicitations, speakers and ads in church bulletins" for these causes?, Clark said she wants to ask.

They also want to know about two men ordained as priests in Florida, said Clark, by Bishop Frank Dewane. One was arrested for exposing himself and sexual battery. The other, while hearing confession from girls as young as age 14, asked them if they masturbate, said Clark.

"Where did these men come from? How could this happen? Who vetted them?" Clark said she wants to ask the Bishop. "There's a collegial thing going on — bishop helping bishop. They move the predator or undesirable priests around from diocese to diocese," she said.

In the first case, "while not condoning Father's actions, it should be noted that the charges did not involve children or youth, but instead an undercover adult police officer," said Atwell. "This is not an attempt to rationalize or justify the actions or charges, but to explain the facts since some are attempting to misconstrue his case as though it was child abuse. Since the day charges were brought forward to the present, Father remains on administrative leave."

The second case, said Atwell, was brought by "a disgruntled former employee of Bishop Verot High School who claims that he was fired for speaking to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) about what he thought was misconduct on the part of a priest." In that case, said Atwell, "DCF, law enforcement and the courts have found no grounds to pursue the matter any further."

Atwell said the Diocese has instituted an array of programs to prevent sexual abuse by priests, and to deal with it if it arises. "Safety from and awareness of, abuse are the focus of continual and relentless efforts of the Diocese of Venice which are carried out through programs, legal efforts, communication and prayer" said Atwell in an email. "As part of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the Diocese manages the Safe Environment Program, which requires that all clergy, religious, employees and volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults, must undergo background checks and screening before employment is offered or volunteer activity begins."

Numerous VOF members, asked why they did not leave the Catholic church and find another place to worship, said their attachment was strong, a core of their belief system. They differentiate between the Catholic religion and the Catholic power structure.

"They're a monarchical organization," said Clark. "You don't challenge them. Don't forget: The bishop has total, absolute power."

"When I grew up, what the priest said, what the pope said, was extremely important, the word of God," said John Hancock, passing out VOF nametags to the members. "Today, I realize there is a contradiction between what they say and what they do. They're more interested in power and control than doing the work of Christ."

Members reflect a concern with a broader scope of issues in the church, in addition to the sexual abuse charges. On March 15, VOF of Southwest Florida presented a talk by investigative reporter Jason Berry on the finances of the Catholic Church. The lecture was held at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church.

"We want to try to bring some sense, with all the terrible things happening. They're not listening enough," said VOF member Blanche Gaudette of the VOF mission.

"It's time we stopped kissing their rings," said Bill O'Connell. "One hundred percent of the bishops are involved in the sexual coverup." And church leaders "have to stop making out that (as Catholics) we are a persecuted minority — that's absurd."

"I want the pope to stay out of my bedroom. We don't need celibates telling married couples how to live," said Hancock, expressing another of the frustrations VOF members feel with the church leaders.

Dr. Joe Tracy, a psychologist, said, "We call for transparency from the church. They have failed to take responsibility for the child abuse scandal, and they're still failing."