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Monthly Updates
Click here to read THE VOICE - News from VOTF Northern NJVOTF Local News and Events
The first news from our NEW METUCHEN AFFILIATE! Click on the left for details."Priestly Celibacy: Vatican or Gospel?"
Read the text of the talk given by Fr. Jim Sullivan from the diocese of Brooklyn, NY. Fr. Walter Murphy, also from Brooklyn, offered a different perspective on this issue at the same meeting on January 10, 2004.2006 Financial Report
Click here to review the 2006 Financial Report.A New Future for the Church
Talk by Raymond A. Schroth, S.J.
When a good book is finally written about what has happened to the American church in the last decade, the story should begin a hundred years ago when the Catholic church as a specifically American community was coming into its own...A Pastor at Large
Fr. Ken Lasch, recently "retired" from St. Joseph's in Mendham, has begun a new and exciting ministry. His new website, www.fatherlasch.com, is a treasure trove of information and yet another resource for our continuing education. Be sure to check it out and send him your comments!A Reflection - Mary Ann Schoettly's Ordination
Midwives of a New Story - A Reflection on Mary Ann Schoettly's Ordination to the Priesthood, April 26, 2009 written by Christina (Tina) M. Genest.
ACTION PRIORITIES
Our Statement of Purpose calls us to action. These Action Priorities offer specific recommendations for responding to this urgent invitation.Dean R. Hoge, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Catholic University of America, joined us at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Morristown to discuss options facing the American Roman Catholic Church as it faces a priest shortage and the need to import priests from Latin America, Asia, and Africa to meet the need. In his newest work, International Priest in America: Current Challenges and Opportunities, Dr. Hoge with co-author, Aniedi Okure, studied the perspectives of parishioners, lay ministers, diocesan leaders, and priests as they relate to ministry in the Church of the future.
Click here to hear streaming video of Dr. Hoge's talk.
Clergy Support
VOTF goal No. 2 is to support priests of integrity. We are trying to let the bishop, pastors and priests of our diocese know what this promise of support implies by these actions.Father Tom Doyle
Priest Who Aided Sex Abuse Victims Ousted
Twenty years ago, the Rev. Thomas Doyle warned the nation's Roman Catholic bishops about the church's looming sexual abuse nightmare. Since then, he has become a hero to the victims, speaking out on their behalf and helping them in legal cases in recent years.
New York Times & AP Coverage - SNAP Press Release - Letters to the EditorFebruary 15, 2006 Meeting
Marci A. Hamilton, J.D., Paul R. Verkuil Chair of Public Law at the Cardoza School of Law, Yeshiva University joined us at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Morristown for a spirited and enlightening discussion of the strategies behind the diocesan decisions in Tuscon, Spokane, and Portland to pursue federal bankrupcy protection. She also discussed the results of the three-year-long Philadelphia grand jury investigation into the sexual exploitation of children as it related to that Archdiocese and updated us on interest for potential action in New Jersey. Attorney Hamilton is an internationally recognized constitutional scholar, specializing in church/state relations, and is the First Amendment advisor for victims in many abuse cases. Among her credits was clerking for Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her most recent book is God vs. The Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law (Cambridge 2005).
Click here to hear streaming video of Attorney Hamilton's talk.
- Click 'In the News Archive' for past news articles posted by VOTFNJ.
- A wonderful crowd braved the icy cold to hear David France, author of Our Fathers and Newsweek Senior Editor. David read from his compelling book, talked about his research in preparation for it, and fielded questions from the audience on seminary life, homosexuality and the priesthood, and the sweeping tide of conservativism that seems to be influencing the future direction of the Catholic Church. Click on the heading for minutes.
January 12, 2006 Meeting
Click here to hear streaming video of Rev. Doyle's talk.
Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, O.P, J.C.D., an outspoken advocate for survivors of abuse, shared his experience and concerns concerning children's safety, clericalism and other issues currently confronting the Catholic Church. Nearly 200 attended the program held in Westfield, NJ and sponsored by VOTF-Union County in association with VOTF-NNJ.
Father Doyle, a canon lawyer and Dominican priest, was winner of VOTF's first Priest of Integrity Award in Boston. It was an honor for VOTF-NJ to welcome Fr. Doyle to our state thanks to the efforts of the Union County Affiliate.January Update
We're off and running for the New Year! Read our update on all that's already in motion for 2004.
www.cathconversations.blogspot.comYour can share your thoughts - anonymously, if you choose - with other Catholics on issues of importance to us all. Fair warning - not everybody agrees! Come check it out.
March 2, 2006 Meeting
Whose Money Is It? Financial Accountability in the Church was the topic of March's meeting. Joining us were George M. Perkins, Visiting Professor of Economics, Bates College, Lewistin Maine; John-Campbell Barmmer, Founder and President, One Catholic Voice for Action, Miami, Florida; and Dan Bartley, CPA, Founder and Co-Chair, Voice of the Faithul of Long Island. Peter Mahoney from St. Joseph Parish, Mendman, NJ, gave a local view of his experience serving on that parish's Finance Council.
May 11, 2006
Dr. Paul Lakeland, Professor and Director of Fairfield University's Center for Catholic Studies, spoke on Church past, present, and future. He stressed that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion but not his/her facts. He encouraged the audience to read Church history so that we do not refer to any one period of Church history as the way it always was. His vision for a Church short on ordained priests is a team approach of part-time ordained ministers, for example, a married clergy with families, or not being an ordained minister for life. For this position, some bishops have accused him of dissenting from Church teaching. Given his experience with college students at Fairfield University, he predicts that they will have no compunction leaving the Church if it does not meet their needs.Meeting Archives
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?
We have been so blessed by many gifted speakers who've come to share their time and talent with us. Take a look at the list.Minutes: August 20, 2002
VOTF-NJ holds it's first meeting.Minutes: April 5, 2005
Rev. Jeff Mickler, S.S.P., Ph.D. presented "The Making of a Naive Priest: Healing and Hope."Minutes: February 20, 2003
Featured Deal Hudson, editor and publisher of Crisis magazine, and an oft-quoted critic of VOTF. His topic : "The Root Causes of the Problems in the Catholic Church."Minutes: January 10, 2004
Fr. Jim Sullivan and Fr. Walter Murphy discuss "Priestly Celibacy."Fr. John Bambrick, pastor in Manalapan, NJ, a survivor of priestly abuseshares his story.
=> Read NY Times ArticleMinutes: January 17, 2005
David France discusses his book Our Fathers.Minutes: July 14, 2004
Featured speaker Dr. Eileen Flynn, whose talk was entitled "What Went Wrong?"Minutes: June 17, 2003
Featured Dr. Gloria Thomas who spoke on an intriguing subject: The Trinity: A Model for Dialogue.Dr. Anthony Padovano - author, international speaker and professor at Ramapo College who was in Rome during the recent conclave and election of Pope Benedict XVI explored A New Papacy - Hopes and Expectations.
Minutes: June 23, 2004
Dr. Kieran Scott of Fordham University, presented an intelligent, creative and positive plan to restructure the Church.Minutes: March 15, 2004
Michael Morwood presents his thoughts on creation and our perspective of the universe. Where is God in all this?Minutes: March 20, 2003
A panel discussion exploring "What it means to be a Catholic priest in the U.S. today."Minutes: May 11, 2004
Dr. Kathleen McChesney, Justice Anne Burke, David Clohessey and Larry Nagle discuss "What Now? Update on the Work of the National Review Board (NRB). How Can Laity's Confidence in Bishops be Restored."Minutes: May 13, 2003
Kathleen McChesney, Executive Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Child and Youth Protection spoke about her new appointment and what it entails.Minutes: May 5, 2005
Angela Bonavoglia, nationally known, award-winning journalist and author, discusses her new book Good Catholic Girls: How Women are Leading the Fight to Change the Church.Minutes: November 20, 2002
Anthony Massimini, Ph.D. discusses restructuring and renewing the Chruch.Minutes: November 20, 2003
Anthony Padovano topic is "The American Catholic Church: Assessing the Past, Discerning the Future."Minutes: November 22, 2004
Rev. Eugene Lauer, a priest from the Pittsburgh diocese who is currently Director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New York City discusses "Women and Minorities: Their Impact on the Development of Theology."Minutes: October 17, 2005
Rev. Eugene F. Laurer, S.T.D., Director, National Pastoral Life Center, New York City discussed The Evolution of Holy Orders.Minutes: October 24, 2002
Fr. Raymond Schroth, SJ, educator, writer and professor at St. Peter's College presented his topic of understanding church structure by citing Hans Kung's description of the church as a dynamic organism in the process of being built.Minutes: September 10, 2005
Reform groups present their history, missions, and activities at September 10th meeting. Panelists were: Mary Ann Hain - Call to Action, Leonard Swidler -Association for Rights of Catholics in the Church, Russ Ditzel - CORPUS, Rea Haworth - Catholics Speak Out, Florence Giammarino - Pax Christi, Gaile Pohlhaus - Women's Ordination Conference, and Mary Ann McCarthy - FutureChurch.
Click here for streaming audio of the seven talksMinutes: September 19, 2005
This panel presentation of "Other Voices" featured seven leaders of Catholic Reform movements:
Association for Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) - Leonard Swidler
Call to Action - Mary Ann Hain
Catholics Speak Out - Rea Haworth
CORPUS - Russ Ditzel
FutureChurch - Mary Ann McCarthy
Pax Christi - Florence Giammarino
Women's Ordination Conference (WOC) - Gaile PohlhausMinutes: September 22, 2002
Rev. Kenneth Lasch and Rev. Richard Rento speak to the current crisis in the Church and their hopes for the future.The first speaker was priest/survivor, Rev. Robert Hoatson, who gave a gripping and disturbing account of his personal experience of sexual abuse and harassment while he was a student in seminaries and the reaction of superiors when he reported it. Father Hoatson is currently involved with the survivors' group, SNAP.
Joe Lynaugh of the Structural Change committee explained tables in the handout packet and introduced the main speakers, Dr. Dean R. Hoge and Father Ken Lasch, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, NJ. Dr. Hoge, sociology professor at Catholic University of America, a non-Catholic and author with Jacqueline Wenger of Evolving Visions of the Priesthood, shared some important results of his professional research.
November 15, 2006 Meeting
A Church in Search of Itself was the topic of VOTFNNJ's November 15 meeting featuring former Jesuit, Robert Blair Kaiser held at St. Mary's Parish in Pompoton Lakes, NJ. Kaiser was a religion reporter for The New York Times, Time, and CBS, and is now contributing editor in Rome for Newsweek. He has written several books. Audio of this program will be available shortly in our Audio Library (this page, top right column). To read more about Robert Blair Kaiser visit http://www.robertblairkaiser.com.November 19, 2005 Meeting
Click here to hear both presenters' presentations.
Approximately 100 people attended this VOTF-NJ, SNAP, and Rescue & Recovery International, Inc. exploring Sex, Power and Surviving. Dr. Anthony Padovano, theologian, writer and Professor of Literature & Religious Studies at Ramapo College, insightfully discussed Sex and Power in the Church. Rev. Robert Hoatson, Ph.D., priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, founder of Rescue and Recovery International, Inc. and survivor, movingly recounted his personal story of Surviving the Impact of Abuse and Power.- Fr. Eugene Lauer, Director of the National Pastoral Life Center in NYC, visits the NJ VOTF community at St. Margaret's Church in Morristown on Nov. 22, 2004. Pictured with VOTF members Joan Barrett and Carole Rogers. Click on heading for minutes of the meeting.
November Update
What a month it has been for Voice of the Faithful on the East Coast! Our Fordham University Conference on October 25 was, by all accounts, an unqualified success. A huge NJ contingent of VOTF members certainly was a big factor in making it so. (Click on heading for full Update.)October 28, 2006 Meeting
Click here to hear streaming audio of this program. Download the PowerPoint Presentation
Imagining New Ways of Being Catholic was the theme of a panel discussion held on October 28 at Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ. Panelists included: Rev. James Callan & Rev. Mary Rameran, Spiritus Christi Church, Rochester, NY (Old Catholic Church); Frank Dingle, Catholic Community at Relay, MD; Dr. Kathleen Kautzer, Regis College, Weston, MA; and Rev. Wayne & Rebecca Ortelli, Inclusive Community at Nutley, NJ. This was a spirited and Spirit-full discussion.
Fr. Jeff Miklar shared his thoughts about "The Making of a Naive Priest" during our April meeting at St. Mary's in Pompton Lakes.
Click on heading for minutes of the meeting.
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Author Angela Bonavoglia and part of the capacity crowd at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Morristown.
Click on heading for minutes of the meeting.
Our Next Eucharistic Liturgy
Sunday, February 5, Eucharistic Celebration with Mike Corso, 4:30 pm, St. Mark's Lutheran Church Fellowship Room, Morristown, NJ. Click here for directions.Our Next Meeting
Join our round table discussion on
We have a new Pope! What do *you* think?
"The New Papacy:
Hopes and Expectations"
JUNE 2, 2005, 7-9pm
Parsippany Public Library
292 Parsippany Rd., Parsippany
www.parsippanylibrary.org
973-887-5150 Our conversation will be introduced by
Dr. Anthony Padovano, noted scholar and theologian, who was present in Rome during the conclave.Our Next Meeting
VOTFNNJ - March 4, 2011 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Morristown, NJPetition for Accountability Within Our Catholic Church
Voice of the Faithful is mounting a nationwide campaign to ask our Bishops for more accountability in finance and protection of children. Please add your voice by completing the PETITION and returning it to VOTF for presentation to the Bishops. Click header to download and print petition for mailing or faxing to VOTF.We are always in need of help with planning prayer events, prayers at events, general suggestions and most of all prayer participation. If you can help please contact Bob Calafiore ( bobc4700@netzero.net)
- We are pleased to share
REBUILD MY CHURCH
an online booklet of Lenten Reflections, combining the traditional Lenten meditation/scripture practice with the goals of VOTF.
We have a group meeting for an hour each week for the next five weeks at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Whippany. Click on heading for dates.
Sacrifice, Sacred Violence and Redefining Priesthood
Read the text of Paul Dinter's dynamic and intellectually challenging talk at our January meeting.Setting the Record Straight
A report written for VOTFNJ by members Mary Ann Schoettly and Carole Rogers, both holding M.A. in Theology degrees from the College of Saint Elizabeth.
SNAP REUNION
SNAP Reunion Conference
"Truth & Healing: 2 Years and Counting"
April 24-25, 2004
Morris County, New JerseyStatement of Purpose
Based on VOTF's mision statement and goals, VOTF-NNJ has developed a strategic vision for its work. Read our Statement of Purpose. Let us know your suggestions or opinions. Contact us at info@votfnj.com.Structural Change
This committee is dedicated to educating our members about the institutional church - its history, its evolution, and its organizational structure. By becoming knowledgeable about our church, we will be better equipped to make a useful and positive contribution to the dialogue about its future.If you are interested in helping with this important task, please contact Joe Lynaugh at m.lynaugh@verizon.net.
Click for Meeting Minutes, 10/21/03.
Support Victims/Survivors
Monitoring compliance of The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and Essential Norms.Team Minutes: January 7, 2012
The meeting was held at the home of Theresa Padovano, Coordinating Team CoordinatorThe American Catholic Church
We'd love to share them with you! If you'd like a copy of either, please contact us (via the link on this page menu). Give us your mailing info, and we'll be happy to send it. Click Here to read the complete text of Dr. Padovano's talk.
We now have videotapes and audio tapes of Anthony Padovano's ground-breaking talk, "The American Catholic Church: Assessing the Past, Discerning the Future."
The American Catholic Church
Assessing the Past, Discerning the Future - Talk given by Anthony T. Padovano,
Catholic Theologian at the November 20, 2003 meeting.
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THE VOICE News from VOTF Northern NJ
August 2005~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in this issue-- Hear From Other Voices - Saturday, September 10
-- Support for Victims/Survivors and Their Families
-- Support Priests of Integrity
-- Structural Renewal
-- Rev. Eugene Lauer Returns to Discuss The Evolution of Holy Orders
-- A Necessary Condition for Becoming an Adult Catholic: Understanding the History of the Church
-- Convocation of Catholic LaityGreetings!
Fall is around the corner bringing with it new opportunities to expand, grow, and learn more about ourselves, our faith, and our Church. As you plan your schedule, mark your calendar for upcoming VOTF-NJ events and join us for our liturgies scheduled the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 5 PM, Loyola Retreat House, 161 James St., Morristown. Directions are available at http://www.votfnj.org.
We have reorganized. Visit our website at http://votfnj.org to learn more about our Coordinating Team. We have many faithful volunteers who continue to contribute their time and gifts. This year they will be led by our co-facilitators, Leo Rogers and Theresa Padovano. We have also welcomed several new Coordinating Team members. We would be pleased to welcome you. You can join at any time. Interested? Contact us at info@votfnj.org. Many hands and hearts are needed.
Tom Roberts, Editor of the National Catholic Reporter, said in response to an even more conservative rewriting of the catechism: "We will come through this spasm of fear, exhausting as it is, because thats what we do. Its what keeps us trim as pilgrims, as people of the Resurrection." So, Blessed be irrational optimism, uninhibited enthusiasm and a blinding sense of wonder, for that is what God deserves. (written by Linda Pintowife of a married priest in Shohola, Pennsylvania) We encourage you to be filled with this Spirit, at this, the beginning of our 4th year as VOTF-NJ !
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Hear From Other Voices - Saturday, September 10In his 2004 Report to the Representative Council, President Jim Post listed as one of the Ten National Priorities for VOTF for 2004-2005 the following: "We will engage in dialogue with survivors, priests, bishops, laity and all persons of good will, Catholic and non-Catholic alike." In keeping with this priority, at our September 10th meeting, we will listen to and dialogue with representatives of several Catholic reform groups, These, too, are "voices of the faithful" and they have been working for structural reform and renewal for decades - long before VOTF was called into action.
Many of our members have been unaware of the existence of these other reform groups - no surprise since coverage of their work rarely appears in any Catholic media except the National Catholic Reporter. This VOTF gathering of "Other Voices" is our attempt to allow our members to listen directly to a few of these groups - committed Catholics working quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, for structural reform of the church over the decades since the Second Vatican Council.
Cardinal Claudio Hummes, speaking at a Congress on "The Church in the Modern World" in Vatican City, March 17, 2005, remarked, "The Church must constantly exercise dialogue in its commitment to serve people and protect their fundamental rights." The Speakers' Committee believes that as we educate ourselves on issues related to the three VOTF goals, we are also exercising our fundamental rights as Catholics to dialogue with other Catholics who also love our Church.
This meeting is so important that all three VOTF affiliates, Northern NJ, Metuchen, and Union County, are co-sponsoring the program. We hope that you will join us as we explore what "Other Voices" are saying. Come with an open mind and heart---ready to listen and to questions our panel. If we want to "Keep the Faith and Change the Church" we need to dialogue with each other on the journey.
The following speakers will represent their respective organizations:
- Call to Action http://www.cta-usa.org - Mary Ann Hain
- CORPUS http://www.corpus.org - Russ Ditzel
- Women's Ordination Conference (WOC) http://www.womensordination.org -Gaile Pohlhaus
- Pax Christi http://www.paxchristiusa.org - Florence Giammarino
- Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) http://www.arcc-catholic-rights.net - Leonard Swidler
- Future Church http;//www.futurechurch.org - Mary Ann McCarthy
- Catholics Speak Out http://www.quixote.org/cso - Rea Haworth
The meeting will take place Saturday, September 10, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ. Directions are available at http://www.birchwoodmanor.com/directions.html.
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Support for Victims/Survivors and Their Families"R&R International (Rescue & Recovery International) attempts to dismantle the structures and procedures that prevent victims from telling their stories, being believed, and getting the help they need. R&R provides a pastoral advocacy that urges power brokers to provide the abused with whatever they need to recover and heal." This is how Rescue & Recovery International's describes itself, a nonprofit organization founded by Robert (Bob) Hoatson, Ph.D., to help victims of clergy/religious sexual abuse. Hoatson is a survivor of clergy/religious sexual abuse and a Roman Catholic priest. Among the organization's Board of Advisors are Rev. Kenneth E. Lasch, currently Pastor-at-Large, formerly Pastor of St. Joseph's in Mendham, NJ, and Theresa Padovano, Co-Facilitator for Voice of the Faithful/NJ. To learn more visit http://www.rescueandrecoveryintl.org.
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Support Priests of IntegrityThis month we profile Father Robert M. Hoatson, a priest of integrity and a leader in his ministry. The following article was written by Anne Cummings.
"If I had not gone into religious life, I would have been a golf pro", says Father Robert M. Hoatson, a priest of the Newark Archdiocese, who has spent most of his life in education and pastoral work. In his early 20s, Bob Hoatson did devote one year exclusively to golf and received the assurance of mentors that the professional tour could be his. The call of church service won out, however, and these days golfing is a definite luxury for this clergyman.
Bob Hoatson is the second son of five children, whose parents still live in the family home in West Orange. After Essex Catholic HS, he joined the then Irish Christian Brothers, now the Congregation of Christian Brothers, and following his profession and degrees in English from Iona and Manhattan, taught at schools in NYC, New Rochelle, and Boston. In 1987 he received a Ph.D. in educational administration from Fordham, with a dissertation which explored the idea of a spirituality of the laity. Hoatson has held administrative positions with institutions, including Sadlier Publishing Co. and St. John's University. In 1991 he received the Educator of the Year Award from the Association of the Teachers of NY. In 1997, after almost 25 years as a Brother, vocation took a different turn for Bob Hoatson, and he was ordained a priest of the Newark Archdiocese. His current assignment is as Chaplain for Catholic Charities of that archdiocese.
Paralleling his formal assigned ministries, Robert Hoatson has for the almost 35 years of his church service pursued a ministry to the sexually abused. Hoatson recounts that he was himself a victim of sexual abuse while a Brother, and he is now driven by two goals: to see justice done in terms of identification and removal of abusers, and to give aid and support to the abused.
In his present day-to-day ministry, Hoatson works up and down the East Coast with survivors, responding to their situation with counseling, advocacy, and practical help, like transportation and credit assistance. Besides his local work, Bob Hoatson travels to Massachusetts once a week to be with a group of his former students, now nearing 40 years of age, who were abused in the late 1980s by the then school chaplain and who continue to deal with the experience. In April of last year Hoatson accompanied two of these men to a meeting in Boston with Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley. Hoatson works through whatever opportunity presents itself, and in 2003 testified before the NY State legislature on the abuse situation and the need for episcopal accountability.
For the future, a dream of Bob Hoatson is that a national clearinghouse be established by the bishops for sexual abuse survivors. To this end he has set up Rescue and Recovery , a newly incorporated organization to assist survivors in receiving the help they need. "Survivors are in such a state of post- traumatic stress that they are almost paralyzed", says Hoatson. "They have very different needs - pastoral, financial, legal, psychological, practical, but all real needs." He would like Rescue and Recovery to grow from its present modest beginnings to be a place where genuine services can be delivered in a timely and efficient manner to the abused.
Fr. Bob Hoatson is scheduled to participate on November 19 at Overlook Hospital in a presentation on Exploring the Dysfunctional Systems in the Church, where he will deal with "Spiritual and Psychological Coping Mechanisms". He does weekend duty at St. Catherine's Parish, Glen Rock and at Nativity Parish, Midland Park. And when the odd free afternoon materializes, he can sometimes be found with one of his brothers engaged in a relaxing round of golf.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Canonical Doctrine of Reception is a compelling article written by James A. Coriden for the Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC). As he explains it, "The canonical doctrine of reception, broadly stated, asserts that for a law or rule to be an effective guide for the believing community it must be accepted by that community." He traces the history of the doctrine from the work of John Gratian in the twelfth century to the present day. As we reflect on structural renewal for our Church, Coriden's contribution is valuable to our learning and understanding of Church history and law.
Structural RenewalJames A. Coriden is the Academic Dean Emeritus at Washington Theological Union, where he teaches canon law. Ordained in 1957, his degrees include theology, canon law, and civic law.
Read on...http://www.arcc-catholic-rights.net/reform_resources.htm
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Rev. Eugene Lauer Returns to Discuss The Evolution of Holy OrdersOn Monday, October 17th at 7:30 PM VOTF Northern NJ will once again welcome Rev. Eugene Lauer to our gathering. All priests of NJ's dioceses are cordially invited and most welcome to attend his discussion of the evolution of holy orders. Assumption Parish in Morristown will host this meeting.
Rev. Lauer is Director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New York. Previously he was the co- director of the Hesburgh Center at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois and the director of the Center for Continuing Formation in Ministry at the University of Notre Dame. More information on Rev. Eugene Lauer is available at http://www.votfnj.org.
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A Necessary Condition for Becoming an Adult Catholic: Understanding the History of the ChurchThanks to Maria Cleary and Joe Lynaugh, VOTF-NJ is initiating an online course this fall based on Hans Kung's book A Brief History of the Catholic Church.
The most profound current running through the contemporary Church is the role of individual reflection and conscience in these two areas.
- Seeking TRUTH
- Determining RIGHT and WRONG
For most of us, our faith was formed by two guiding principles:
- "The Church has always taught..."
- The unflawed Church has moved through history, above ambiguity and human failure.
However, doctrines have changed and there has been an on-going process of discovery, development and modification.
Historically, the Church is a patchwork of good, bad and more or less competent leaders pursuing a medley of enlightened, misguided and self-serving policies ---and a mass of followers who have adopted a policy of "serene acceptance".
If we do not wish this to continue, what will take its place? Empowering our minds and consciences to discern the answers for ourselves is not simple. How do we answer questions such as:
- What is at the core of our Christian faith and what is some accident of history?
- How did the early Christian communities become a Church with many of the features of the Roman Empire?
- How can the traditional teachings be reconciled with the rapid expansion of human knowledge and communication?
If we are to be faithful to our heritage as the People of God moving through history, we must understand, learn from and draw upon that history and, in doing so, "serene acceptance" can become the beginning of empowerment.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP! Join us. Contact info@votfnj.org to learn more.
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Convocation of Catholic LaityEd Sullivan represented VOTF-NJ at the National Convocation of Catholic Laity in Indianapolis last month. With input from our members, Ed displayed material from our meetings at VOTF-NJ's booth, including photos and videos.
The theme was The Laity Speak: Accoutability Now. President Jim Post emphasized that VOTF needs to move towards more action. Go to http://www.votf.org for full coverage.
- In Speeches Delivered at the Convocation, be sure to read Francine Cardman's keynote address: Re-membering the Church: Participation and Structure Then and Now, and Justice Anne Burke's talks.
- Under Working Group Background Papers, see The VOTF Project Workbook: What Do We Do Next?, which sets out the many ways that VOTF affiliates pursue VOTF's mission and goals, and describes projects successfully undertaken by them.
- Everyone participated in eight breakout sessions on: Bishop Accountability, Financial Accountability, and Lay Accountability. Results were distilled down to What We Said in Indianapolis on the home page.
"The convocation was worthwhile and inspiring," Ed reported at the August 14 VOTF-NNJ Coordinating Team meeting. He added, "It helps to connect with many others who are working to renew our Church while strengthening our faith."
If you do not have access to a computer and wish to receive articles referred to in this newsletter, please contact us at info@votfnj.org, 973-539-8732, or by mail at VOTF-NNJ, 9 Millstone Drive, Morris Plains, NJ 07950 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
email: info@votfnj.org
web: http://www.votfnj.org~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The VOICE - Sept.-Oct. 2011
Read latest VOTFNJ news...The comments of Rev. Thomas Doyle, January 2008
Union County Launches a New Affiliate
Welcome to VOTF Union County which held its first meeting in Scotch Plains. Click on the heading for minutes.Union County Team Meeting Minutes
Read Union County VOTF's team meeting minutes for March 30, 2006.UPCOMING VOTFNJ MEETINGS & EVENTS
Of God and Gucci
A film presentation by Keith Rennar, victim of sexual abuse by two priests
Sunday, February 19, 2012m 2:00 PM*
Victims of sexual abuse often take years to acknowledge feelings of shame, fear, and guilt. Deeply repressed emotions are manifested in behaviors which are specific to the ways in which individuals are able to cope.
Keith Rennar was abused by a priest in the Archdiocese of Newark and sought help from another priest who subsequently abused him again. In this film he opens to us the depth and extent of the pain and desolation experienced as a result of sexual abuse. He has produced this film to help prevent such abuse and to help other victims find the strength to deal with their own abuse.Keith Rennar, his wife, Diane, and Robert Hoatson, president and co-founder of Road to Recovery, will lead a discussion following the film.Suggested donation is $10. The total collection will be donated to Road to Recovery to assist victims of sexual abuse.Mark's Lutheran Church
100 Harter Road
Morristown, NJ
Directions
*Liturgy to follow at 4:30 PM Lenten Discussion Series
Presentations from the June 2011 Amercian Catholic Council meeting in Detroit.
Sunday, March 4, 2012, 2:30 PM*
Video & Discussion of Joan Chittister, OSB's
Reclaiming the Hope of the People of God
Writer, Lecturer & Executive Director, BenetvisionBiography available here.
Sunday, March 18, 2012, 2:30 PM*
Video and Discussion with Speaker, Anthony Padovano, Theologian, Author & Distinguished Professor of Literature and Philosophy, Ramapo CollegeReclaiming the Spirit and Vision of the People of God
Biography available here.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
100 Harter Road
Morristown, NJ
Directions
*Liturgy to follow at 4:30 PM
Religous Liberty, Conscience and Catholicism
A discussion of the Affordable Care Act, religious exemption and freedom of conscience with Mary Segers, Professor of Political Science at Rutgers-Newark
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2:30 PM*
Biography available here.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
100 Harter Road
Morristown, NJ
Directions
*Liturgy to follow at 4:30 PM
VOTF Metuchen Team Meeting Minutes
Read VOTF Metuchen team meeting minutes for
VOTF Metuchen Updates
Our Metuchen Diocese affiliate continues to serve members in Central NJ. Click on the heading for details about their upcoming meetings.VOTF New Jersey Coordinating Team
VOTF-NJ is managed by a Coordinating Team that is assisted by a dedicated group of volunteers committed to the VOTF's mission and goals.
Facilatator
Theresa PadovanoTreasurer
Fran MalloyPrayerful Voice
Charlie & Juanita Saco and Louise & Chuck SchaeferEducational Outreach
Joe LynaughCommunications
Carol Achord, Bernice Anglin, Maria Cleary, Tina Genest, Richard Johnston, Mary Murphy, Theresa PadovanoSpeakers/Education
Theresa Padovano, Carole Rogers, Janet Bonar, Beatrice MondareVOTF National Liaison
Ed SullivanLiaison to Road to Recovery
Robert HoatsonTo learn more about the work of the Coordinating Committee and to consider your involvement click
VOTF Priest of Integrity Acceptance Speech 2009
Rev. Donald CozzensVOTF Priest of Integrity Award
Father Kenneth Lasch Recipient of Priest of Integrity Award
October 19 & 20, 2007
Voice of the Faithful Convention
Providence, R.I.
Father Kenneth Lasch, former pastor of Saint Joseph's Parish, Mendham, NJ, minister to victims of clergy sex abuse for over twenty years, and pastor-at large at http://www.fatherlasch.com/lasch.com was awarded the "Priest of Integrity Award" at this year's national VOTF convention. VOTFNJ adds its voice of congratulations! "Our special thanks go to him for all he has meant to all of us in this time of crisis and confusion," said Theresa Padovano, co-facilitator of VOTFNJ. We have been blessed with Father Lasch as our friend, colleague, and pastor.
To read Father Lasch's acceptance of the "Priest of Integrity Award" go to
http://www.fatherlasch.com/article/1371/there-are-no-cheap-graces
News to come... VOTF Welcomes Bishop Arthur Serratelli to the Paterson Diocese
We extend a warm welcome to our new bishop, Arthur Serratelli, who has taken the helm of the Diocese of Paterson. Joe and Joan Barrett, our Priests Support Coordinators, attended his installation on July 6 as VOTF/NJ representatives. We have also delivered a letter to the bishop signed by over 150 of our members who join in wishing him well and hoping that we will be able to meet and dialogue in the near future. Click on heading for full text of letter.
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VOTFNJ Membership
We invite you to become a VOTFNJ Member. Help us meet VOTF's mission and goals. Join us today! ALL ARE WELCOME.VOTF-NNJ 2005 Report of Activities
Read VOTF-NNJ annual Report of Activities issued December, 2005.Why the Judge Was Right...
A Federal Bankruptcy Judge Issues an Important Ruling in the Portland Archdiocese Bankruptcy: Why the Judge Was Right, and Why the Ruling Matters So Much for Clergy Abuse Victims, article by Marci Hamilton, VOTF-NNJ February 15th featured speaker.You can help!
You can make a real difference!
End Charitable Immunity in cases of child sexual abuse. Visit www.fixthelaw.org for details on the June 23 trip to Trenton.
NJ VOTF is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations from 2003 to the present are tax deductible. We are very grateful for your generosity.