Roman Catholic Church leaders from around the world gathered today in Rome to discuss clergy sexual abuse. Towards Healing and Renewal at the Pontifical Gregorian University has attracted hundreds of Church leaders to discuss ways to deal with clergy sexual abuse on a global scale. The horrendous crime of sexually abusing children notwithstanding, why the symposium was organized and what it will accomplish seem to depend on your attitude toward the scandal. The press is not allowed to view the symposium’s presentations, but press conferences are being held and presenters have been available for interviews. Here is a bit of the initial media coverage:
- Pope Urges Renewal as Vatican Hosts Anti-abuse Summit, Agence France-Presse
- Abuse Survivor: Some Wonder if Vatican-sponsored Initiative Is only PR; Apologies Not Enough, Associated Press
- Vatican Sex Abuse Summit: Don’t Wait for the Media to Make Us Ask, National Catholic Reporter
- Catholics in Unprecedented Abuse Talks, news.com.au (Australia)
Voice of the Faithful issues its statement on the symposium Jan. 24.
Voice of the Faithful ® 
#1 by SALLY MURPHY DOGANIERI on February 28, 2012 - 4:50 PM
I AM A NEW MEMBER OF VOTF. WHEN I READ YOUR MISSION STATEMENT I WAS VERY INTERESTED AND STILL AM. ALL I READ ABOUT IS SEXUAL ABUSE. WHILE THIS MAY BE AT THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ISSUES. WHY ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CALL ONESELF CATHOLIC WITHOUT BEING SLIGHTLY APOLOGETIC.
WE NEED NEW LEADERS……WALKING IN THE STEPS OF CHRIST WITH HIS MIND AND HIS HEART TOWARD ALL HUMAN BEINGS. THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG WITH THIS CHURCH THAT I CAN NOT AND WILL NEVER LEAVE. PLEASE LET’S START ADDRESSING SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH. I AM AN UNHAPPY CATHOLIC AND FEEL I NEED TO GET SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT ELSEWHERE……BECAUSE MY CHURCH DOES NOT PROVIDE IT. THE CHURCH DOES NOT TEACH, DOES NOT PRACTICE CHRISTIANITY AS JESUS WOULD HAVE IT. IT ONLY SEEKS TO CONTROL US AND PREVENT US FROM THINKING WITH AN INFORMED CONSCIENCE. MY KNOWLEDGE, RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST AND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH HIM TRANSCENDS THE VATICAN. WHERE ELSE CAN I GO BUT TO YOU OH GOD…….MY CHURCH LACKS IN REPRESENTING YOU.
LikeLike
#2 by rjaa on February 7, 2012 - 11:24 AM
Will Bernie Law be in attendance?
LikeLike