VOTF has six-point plan for truth and reconciliation in Boston

Social justice news
August 2003

Catholic environmentalist murdered in Honduras
Human rights group implicates Afghan warlords in new abuses
Liberian bishops call for peace—and U.S. intervention
Massachusetts AG releases scathing report on Boston sex abuse
Vatican launches counter-strike against gay marriage, adoption
VOTF has six-point plan for truth and reconciliation in Boston

VOTF has six-point plan for truth and reconciliation in Boston
Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) rolled out its blueprint for putting an end to the crisis in Boston last month. The "6-Point Plan for Reconciliation & Healing for Bishop O'Malley's First 100 Days" presents what spokesperson Luise Dittrich called "a process of truth and reconciliation to achieve healing.

"This begins with telling the truth," said Dittrich in a VOTF statement. "Truth-telling enables a restoration of trust. Restoring trust enables healing through reconciliation. VOTF listened carefully to Bishop O'Malley's words in his July 1 speech. What we presented today are healing activities that are part of a 'truth-and-reconciliation' process. Our ideas reflect and expand on Bishop O'Malley's stated sentiments and feelings."

During his remarks at a July 28 press conference in Boston, VOTF president Jim Post said, "The promise we hope for is that our new Archbishop, Sean O'Malley, will provide the pastoral vision and leadership to help the Church move from this 'blackest picture' of our Church to its 'brightest picture' of justice and faith. This will require a transformation of sorts, and it will be very difficult. Our prayers for O'Malley's leadership, and our willingness to work at this task, are essential to any success."

VOTF's 6-point plan includes the following:

Phase 1: "TELL THE TRUTH"
"Reconciliation always demands a firm purpose of amendment. It means seeking new ways to avoid the grave mistakes of the past. . . "—Bishop Sean O'Malley

Step 1: Acknowledge the findings in Attorney General Reilly's Report. Let us all know that you are aware of, and committed to transforming, the structural and cultural flaws in the hierarchical leadership of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Step 2: Disclose the local audit process to be conducted by the Office of Child and Youth Protection. Tell us when the OCYP auditors are coming to Boston as soon as you yourself know. Announce the completion of the audit, and announce when the Archdiocese expects the results. Release the audit findings.

Phase 2: "RESTORE TRUST"
"I am anxious to hear firsthand from the bishops, priests, parish councils and lay leaders . . . I know that the laity has a great role to play in the process."

"We want to do right by the victims and at the same time, to carry on the essential elements of our mission…to serve the poor, the sick and the marginalized."—Bishop Sean O'Malley

Step 1: Unify the Archdiocese. End divisive and hurtful bans on VOTF meeting on Church property. Meet with VOTF as collaborators. Build a 4-sided table of survivors, laity, priests, and bishops.

Step 2: Restore financial health through accountability and transparency. Disclose all RCAB financial statements across the board, not just some selectively. Accept Voice of Compassion-Boston Fund donations.

Phase 3: "RECONCILE & HEAL"
"I hope that in some way I might be an instrument of peace and reconciliation in a Church in need of healing."

"People's lives are more important than money."—Bishop Sean O'Malley

Step 1: Achieve fair and just settlements for survivors. Separate the attainment of justice for survivors from the RCAB's reimbursements from its insurers.

Step 2: Create a new "Healing Commission" that initiates a 3-year "Truth and Reconciliation Process" bringing together the 4-sided table of laity, survivors, priests, and bishops. This Commission will provide an independent examination of the systemic and structural factors that contributed to this crisis. Ask for this Commission's ideas, and use its wise counsel to chart a course for the future.

At the press conference, a VOTF representative read the following statement about a Healing Commission prepared for the event by Fr. Robert Bullock of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Sharon, MA, who could not attend: "The Attorney General's report has put us all on notice. Priests, laity, and leaders have to find their voices. For some time, many have urged the need of serious efforts to understand the environment in which the crimes of clergy sexual abuse have taken place. Were there systemic and structural factors in the Church that contributed to these crimes' being committed in such astonishing numbers?

"A Commission, making use of the remarkable resources in our church, and in the area, is necessary for our understanding of what has happened and how. It could be a major force in rebuilding trust and confidence. I hope the recommendations of the Voice of the Faithful to Archbishop-elect O'Malley will have wide support."

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