SUMMARY:  In a letter to priests released today to mark the start of the “Year of Priests,” Pope Benedict made comments that implied a need for accountability in the Catholic Church. The Pope called specifically for a “frank and complete acknowledgement of the weaknesses of her ministers” and referenced “infidelity on the part of some of her ministers.”

WHAT: Because this is the Pope’s first public comment since the release of the Ryan Report, Voice of the Faithful leaders will be available for comment.

WHO: Dan Bartley - President, Voice of the Faithful
         Sean O’Conaill– Voice of the Faithful Ireland Acting Coordinator
         William Casey –Chair, Committee to Protect Children and Support Survivors

CONTACT: Jessica Lillie
                 PR Director
                (01) 781-559-3360, © 314-749-5188
                votfpr@votf.org

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Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) is a lay organization formed in 2002 in response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. It started in the basement of a church in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and has since expanded worldwide with more than 150 Parish Voice affiliates and 30,000 members. The entire organization is committed to helping the Catholic Church.