Contact: John Moynihan, jmoynihan@votf.org ,
(617) 680-2131

For Immediate Release

VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL PROTESTS EXCOMMUNICATIONS IN
DIOCESE OF LINCOLN NEBRASKA

December 12, 2006 Newton, MA - Voice of the Faithful is deeply disturbed
at the action of both Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln NE and Cardinal
Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Congregation for Bishops. In our goal to
be a “voice” for faithful Catholics we call for an explanation of the process
by which this decision was made. We are competent, educated people who
understand the long history of this serious action and we see no justification
for denying any person access to the life of the Church simply by virtue of
her or his membership in a select group. Voice of the Faithful condemns the
process by which a class of people was summarily excommunicated by a single
bishop in the US. Instead, VOTF follows the long tradition of the Church where excommunication should be practiced rarely and individually with careful
discernment.
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VOTF is a worldwide movement of concerned mainstream Catholics formed in response
to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. The group’s mission is 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. Its goals are to support survivors
of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity, and shape structural change
within the Catholic Church in full accordance and harmony with Church teaching.

http://www.votf.org/Press/pressrelease/121206.html
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Voice Of The Faithful
http://www.votf.org/index.html
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Vatican affirms excommunication of Call to Action members in Lincoln
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0606995.htm
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I have belonged to Voice Of The Faithful for several years now. I am
troubled by the corruption that has been exposed within the Church.

I do not agree with this position of VOTF. I would like excommunication
to be a rare thing too, but I believe that the Church needs to take a strong
position on those in active rebellion within the Church. I am pleased that
the Church is at least trying to address the issue of those who seek to
undermine Church and established biblical teaching.

I believe that it is a bit hypocritical for VOTF to take this position,
considering that they are advocating positive change within the Church
to deal with at least one serious issue. Why then take the position to
condemn priests taking a strong stance in sanctioning priests, and those
who are activists within the Church, who are in reality undermining
the Church and the laity?

I don't find Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz to be the one in error here. I
believe that the laity should have a voice in what occurs within the Church
structure, and there should be accountability. This is why I agree with
Bishop Bruskewitz. Ministers/Priests of Christ have to take the leadership
role in what occurs within the Church and what is taught. They have to
take a strong stance in sanctioning those who seek to undermine the faith
-to hold them accountable. That is what a representative of Christ does-
to take the difficult, and unliked by others, path. The position of VOTF
simply comes down to there is such a thing as too many cooks in the
kitchen.

There is a budding crisis within the Church. (And the Catholic Church is
not the only one dealing with corruption.)

I support the action that the Church is starting to take. I'm considering
canceling my membership to VOTF, because I don't think I trust a
doubleminded organization. You either support accountability or you
don't. You either support taking a strong stance against those who
seek to undermine the faith and are evil, or you support those who
do choose to undermine the faith and are evil. You can't have one
foot in both stances. You can't support one stance when it agrees
with your position, and then not support something when it becomes
inconvenient. It says to me that it signals a red flag on your belief
system and mindset.

I know where my stance is. I am choosing to support the Church in it's
trying to hold these individuals accountable and in trying to correct them.
What organization a person supports or is affiliated with matters. It reflects
the mindset of that individual. If a person is wrong then they need to
be corrected.

That is the Lord's way.

Read: 1 Corinthinans 11: 17 - 34. The Lord's Supper.