Voice of the Faithful Focus – A brief update highlighting issues and successes as we work together to Keep the Faith, Change the Church.

New York Bill on Sexual Abuse SOL Amended …
Assemblywoman Margaret M. Markey told supporters that her bill seeking to extend the statute of limitations regarding sexual abuse as a child will now establish 53 as the maximum age for anyone wishing to file a law suit. The change came as a surprise to many, including co-sponsor Senator Thomas Duane, and has been received with mixed emotions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/06/nyregion/06abuse.html?_r=1&ref=nyregio...

Last week there were reports that Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn had personally threatened lawmakers against voting for the bill. (The diocesan press office said there was a misunderstanding.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/nyregion/05abuse.html

Pope Meets with Irish Bishops …
According to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, the Vatican is expected to respond publicly to the Ryan Report. During a meeting in Maynooth, Dr. Martin also commented that the dialogue established with Pope Benedict will continue and he believes that something will come of that.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0609/1224248416540.html

Meanwhile, victims of abuse in Ireland marched silently through Dublin to the Irish parliament carrying children’s shoes and wearing white ribbons symbolizing a lost youth.
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5593Q420090610

Other stories we are following…
The USCCB established a website to mark the Year for Priests, a worldwide celebration from June 19th of this year until June 19th 2010.
http://thecatholicspirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1...

Saginaw diocese welcomes a new bishop to fill the spot left vacant by newly appointed Archbishop of St. Louis, Robert Carlson.
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=6848711
 

Groups in Michigan call for transparency and accountability from the new bishop of Saginaw.
http://ourmidland.com/articles/2009/06/10/local_news/doc4a300f10cb9be722...