BishopAccountability.org
	Your View: 'Voice' Members Still Seek the Truth By Carol Markey Standard-Times April 9, 2008 http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/OPINION/804090322/1009/TOWN08 It is important for us at SouthCoast Voice of the Faithful to respond to John Kearns' statement that we have not met with the bishop "in quite some time." The truth of the matter is Bishop George Coleman won't meet with us. He won't even answer our letters. Our group does exist, and we as a group (and some personally) did contribute to the national Voice of the Faithful for the ad in the New York Times. The ad will attempt to make Pope Benedict aware of the seriousness of the impact of the abuse crisis and financial crisis in the church in the 21st century. The letter is respectful, informative, and truthful. SouthCoast members actually meet with the Falmouth group. Many attend meetings in the Diocese of Venice in Florida. We have shared speaker meetings, seminars, prayer meetings, Masses, and retreats with Falmouth. However, as members of VOTF, we do not have the respect of Bishop Coleman or other leaders in our diocese. So be it. We continue to educate ourselves as to what is happening in other dioceses. Lack of priests, embezzling of funds, continuation of abuse victims coming forward, and closing of parishes and schools continue to happen. It is being discussed in some dioceses. Amazing — when all members of the body of Christ sit together and discuss issues truthfully and openly, new and creative solutions can arise. I believe the bishop attended only one meeting with VOTF. The vicar general presided over the other meetings (at the meeting he wanted only his prayer prayed, not ours). We didn't feel truth and honesty ruled on their part. An example was a discussion about the "handyman" murder case in Woods Hole. The question was asked if the handyman had a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) check before being hired. The immediate response from all five priests at the meeting was that he was an independent contractor, so he didn't really work at the parish. In fact, he lived there, collected the basket on Sunday and was found guilty of hiding the young man found dead on the beach. Did these educated men really believe we were stupid, had no brains? So many questions of the faithful go unanswered, and all it takes is honest conversation between people of integrity. Many people believe it is a waste of time to keep asking. Maybe. But victims continue to come forward. Recently, a priest was accused. Credible? I don't know. If so, the district attorney should handle it, not the diocese. If it's not credible, they should give the priest back his reputation. How any victim would go to the diocese and not the district attorney in this day and age is beyond me. Child abuse is a crime. The district attorney has trained people who deal with this crime. Many Catholics believe that it is not worth the effort to try to change things. Then there are those of us who continue to spin the windmill, because it is the right thing to do — to seek the truth! An example: Canon law states every parish has a finance council. The bishop's committee was well aware that in the Fall River Diocese this is not happening. Why? Schools are closing. Why? We are aware some great things are happening in some parishes. I guess it depends on the pastor. These men have to work harder and harder with other jobs being assigned to them beside their pastoral work of their parish. Maybe honest conversation needs to happen at all levels — priests, laypeople and bishops. VOTF members believe we are all baptized equally in Christ to ministry and are responsible to and for each other. So, John Kearns should know we are still here, not dissolved, and are ready anytime, anywhere to meet with Bishop Coleman and discuss problems, that we might be supportive of his ideas and he might be supportive of ours. I for one member of SouthCoast Voice of the Faithful pray for this each day. Adsum (I am present; I am here).
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