Focus- June 25, 2009

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

Organization to publish U.S. version of Irish report...
Boston-based Bishop Accountability is in the midst of compiling a list of names of Irish religious figures who abused children in Ireland and then moved to America. They will also work on gathering evidence of institutional abuse across the United States in the same way information was collected for Ireland’s now infamous Ryan Report. Thousands of people who had been abused in Catholic institutions were interviewed for the Ryan Report in order to gather the information.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009
/06/18/irish_findings_spur_pursuit_of_clergy_abuse_at_us_institutions/

Pope Benedict writes letter to priests worldwide...
In a letter to mark the beginning of the year of the priests, Pope Benedict called for a “frank and complete acknowledgement” of the Catholic Church’s weaknesses. Although he did not specifically refer to clergy abuse, members of the media have made that interpretation.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/
ALeqM5g5ME9gcm5DDGEKMAwJI0aWgE0H1gD98T5R2O1

However some Catholics believe it is not enough simply to acknowledge that some clergy abused children. The Pope also should require accountability for those bishops who enabled the abuse and support research to determine the causes.
http://www.irishpost.co.uk/tabId/550/itemId/3802/
Pope-is-slammed-over-vague-abuse-response.aspx

Other stories we are following...
Controversial child sex abuse bill fails to advance in New York state.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/
ny-stmark2412910436jun23,0,2431779.story

Parishioners vow to fight church closings in Syracuse.
http://news10now.com/content/all_news/475307
/parishioners-vow-to-fight-church-closings/?RegionCookie=1013

The latest on Pope Benedict’s encyclical on greed.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2009/06/
what_to_look_for_in_the_new_social_encyclical.html?hpid=talkbox1

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	Focus- June 25, 2009 *Voice of the Faithful Focus* – A brief update highlighting issues and successes as we work together to Keep the Faith, Change the Church. *Organization to publish U.S. version of Irish report...* Boston-based Bishop Accountability is in the midst of compiling a list of names of Irish religious figures who abused children in Ireland and then moved to America. They will also work on gathering evidence of institutional abuse across the United States in the same way information was collected for Ireland’s now infamous Ryan Report. Thousands of people who had been abused in Catholic institutions were interviewed for the Ryan Report in order to gather the information. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009 /06/18/irish_findings_spur_pursuit_of_clergy_abuse_at_us_institutions/ *Pope Benedict writes letter to priests worldwide...* In a letter to mark the beginning of the year of the priests, Pope Benedict called for a “frank and complete acknowledgement” of the Catholic Church’s weaknesses. Although he did not specifically refer to clergy abuse, members of the media have made that interpretation. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ ALeqM5g5ME9gcm5DDGEKMAwJI0aWgE0H1gD98T5R2O1 However some Catholics believe it is not enough simply to acknowledge that some clergy abused children. The Pope also should require accountability for those bishops who enabled the abuse and support research to determine the causes. http://www.irishpost.co.uk/tabId/550/itemId/3802/ Pope-is-slammed-over-vague-abuse-response.aspx *Other stories we are following...* Controversial child sex abuse bill fails to advance in New York state. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ ny-stmark2412910436jun23,0,2431779.story Parishioners vow to fight church closings in Syracuse. http://news10now.com/content/all_news/475307 /parishioners-vow-to-fight-church-closings/?RegionCookie=1013 The latest on Pope Benedict’s encyclical on greed. http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/georgetown/2009/06/ what_to_look_for_in_the_new_social_encyclical.html?hpid=talkbox1 Action Focus	VOTF™ Mission Statement To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Our Goals To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse To support priests of integrity To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.

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Focus- June 25, 2009