"We don't want to focus on meetings, but activities. We want to be active," said John M. Bowen, a Longmeadow resident and a parishioner of St. Michael Parish in East Longmeadow.

Bowen, one of about six core organizers of the new affiliate, said the group will concentrate on one issue at a time.

"We don't want to try to do too much and spread ourselves thin. What we do we want to do well," Bowen said.

The Massachusetts Legislature is considering a bill that would eliminate the 15-year statute of limtations. It would not be retroactive.

However, if the bill becomes law, it means that sex crimes against children that go back no more than 15 years from the date the bill becomes law would be prosecutable forever.

"It is one way for us to come to the aid of (clergy abuse) victims by joining with them and supporting this legislation. We hope it will prevent abuse," Bowen said.

Voice of the Faithful, an international organization that formed three years ago after the Catholic church's clergy sexual abuse crisis was uncovered, is dedicated to participating in the governance and guidance of the church.

It's stated goals are to support abuse victims and priests of integrity, and to shape structural change within the church.

Bowen said the group intends to discuss its support of the statute of limitations with the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.

"We don't want an adversarial relationship with the bishop, but we do want transparency. We want to know the whereabouts of Bishop (Thomas L.) Dupre. We want him to show us the money. We want a more transparent church," Bowen said.

Dupre, the previous Springfield bishop, retired abruptly in February 2004 after being questioned by the Republican about allegations that he abused two boys more than two decades earlier. He was later indicted on child rape charges, but the case was not pursued because the statute of limitations had expired.

The new affiliate, which drew about 50 people from Springfield, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham and Longmeadow to its first general meeting April 26, plans to meet every fourth Tuesday of the month at St. Michael's parish hall. However, the group may depart from that schedule in June, Bowen said.

The next meeting is May 24 at 7 p.m. The public is invited.

The formation of the new affiliate will not impact the two-year-old Springfield-Northampton affiliate of the Voice of the Faithful.

"This is a positive step. Ultimately, it would great to have an affiliate in every parish or every region of the diocese," said Joan M. Smola, a spokeswoman for the Springfield-Northampton affiliate.

Smola said her affiliate is hoping to help people in Berkshire County form an affiliate there.

"There has been interest by people there," Smola said.