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June 2nd, 2008
Richard Sipe's Report of Bishop Robinson's Book Tour of US
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in his first comprehensive report since his return from a month-long lecture tour of the United States reflects on the tour, on the attempt by Cardinal Re in the Vatican to try and stop the tour, on the state of the Church in America following the abuse scandals, and on the statement put out under the name of the Australian Bishops...
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June 2nd, 2008
Tom Doyle's Reflection on Meeting with Bishop Geoff Robinson
Geoff Robinson’s US speaking tour presented an opportunity for a meeting with some of the attorneys who have been deeply involved in the clergy sex abuse crisis in the U.S. as well as some of the experts who have been part of the overall response to this crisis.
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We are Grateful for Monsignor Breslin's Life -

Monsignor Lawrence Breslin died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, the feast of St. Catherine
of Siena. Voice of the Faithful is profoundly grateful for Monsignor Breslin’s life.
It is fitting he died on the feast of a reformer of the Church.


His outspoken support and courageous actions on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse by priests and his leadership when he opened the doors of his parish to welcome Voice of the Faithful to meet on parish grounds are indicative of his love for the Church and its people whom he served.

He was indeed a priest of integrity and fully deserved the honor he received in 2005
when he became Voice of the Faithful’s second nationally recognized Priest of Integrity.


He was unusual among priests of this era. He will most assuredly be missed. As his life
was a sign of resurrrection may the Lord welcome him joyously to eternal life.

Once-accused priest to lead parish
BY DAN HORN, Cincinnati Enquirer
May 01, 2008


A priest who faced sexual misconduct accusations six years ago was appointed Thursday to lead Holy Family parish in Price Hill.

The Rev. James Kiffmeyer became the church’s new pastoral administrator after a months-long campaign by his supporters in the parish.
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May 6th, 2007 - Four members of the Hoehne family spoke out courageously at the April 28 VOTF Conference in Cincinnati.

David was abused by Father Thomas Hopp..  David spoke out in 2003 and the result was Father Hopp's removal from ministry in 2003. He remains a priest who is paid by the Archdiocese. He has  been assigned to a life of "prayer and penance" by the Vatican.

The parish of Queen of Martyrs, (the parish where Father Hopp was pastor in 2003)  has established a survivors of sexual abuse support group named David's Justice in honor of David Hoehne's courage.

Brenda is David's wife, Larry is his father and Ginny is his mother. Ginny and Larry are very active members of the Dayton Affiliate Voice of the Faithful, and along with David and Brenda worked tirelessly on the legislative effort to extend the statute of limitations.

David Hoehne Tells Story of Abuse - David Hoehne still fights an emotional and spiritual battle 27 years after he was sexually abused by the priest of his Catholic parish. Hoehne was 12 when it happened. He remembers that the headboard of the bed where the abuse occurred was against the western wall. The comforter on the bed was white.... Click here for the rest of the article.

"A Gathering for Justice" Conference April 28, 2007
Xavier University, Cincinnati Ohio
The Hoehne Family Story

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VOICE of the FAITHFUL and SNAP MARK FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of SCANDAL with CALL for RECOGNITION of THOSE WHO DIED

Kris Ward takes the chair of the Survivor Support Working Group

Today, December 28, 2007 is the Feast of the Innocents.

As we mark it we are nine days from the fifth anniversary of the breaking of the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Archdiocese of Boston on January 6, 2002.

Today speaks in a chilling way of horror and tragedy. Murder in the first century speaks to us across 20 centuries into the third millenium where again there is horror inflicted upon innocents, the victims of clergy sexual abuse.

This feast dates back as far as the fourth century. It is a curious coincidence that we now know from Father Doyle, Richard Sipe and Patrick Wall's book, Sex, Priests and Secret Code that the sexual abuse of children goes back to the fourth century as well.

It seems, in a sad yet real way, that this day should come before the anniversary - the Epiphany of our knowledge of the scandal, --- and the beginning of the faithful's response in our movement as Voice of the Fatihful. The victim survivors, their families, those who did not survive and their families suffered for so long in a limbo of sorts before the scandal broke. In this space of days, we can give honor to their suffering by re-pledging ourselves to the support of survivors and reinvigorating our efforts to show and be that support. There is so much more to be done --- and so many more people needed to do it. .

There is a passing of the torch this day, an appropriate day we believe, for news of the Survivor Support Working Group. Steve Sheehan and Marge Bean who have diligently carried the leadership of this Working Group have asked for reinforcements - and rightly so. They have labored long and hard --- and the best news is they aren't going anywhere. I and they believe that there are members of Voice of the Faithful throughout the country and the world who will walk this painful but, oh so necessary ourney with them and use all of our will and mien to bring as much good out of this tragedy as can be done. Nothing is impossible with God.

I am honored to become the chair of this Working Group and with this notice invite your participation as well. This is a Working Group without limitation. Please don't hold back.

Anniversaries, such as we will mark on January 6, are a time to take stock. They are deeply part of our lives as Catholics and as close to us as the anniversaries we mark each year of the Nativity and the sacred Triduum.

As we come to the brink of this important anniversary for our movement, please take time on this Feast of the Innocents to re-examine what impelled you to join Voice of the Faithful.

There would be no opportunity for reform in our time if not for the suffering of the innocents.

The Survivor Support Working Group seeks your support --- and your action Please take a moment to join by sending an email to votf@daytonvotf.org.

We will keep the whole organization abreast of our news but there is much work and action needed. --- across the country and the world.

If not you then who?

Sincerely,

Kristine Ward
Chair, Survivor Support Working Group
Chair, Dayton Affiliate
National Representative Council Member Region 6 Ohio/Michigan