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62 Jurist 76 (2002)
The Right of Catholics to Hold Meetings on Church Property: Canonical and Pastoral Issues

handle is hein.journals/juristcu62 and id is 78 raw text is: THE JURIST 62 (2002) 76-91 THE RIGHT OF CATHOLICS TO HOLD MEETINGS ON CHURCH PROPERTY: CANONICAL AND PASTORAL ISSUES JAMES A. CORIDEN* Introduction: The Occasion for This Reflection Voice of the Faithful (VOTF), a Catholic lay organization, sprang into existence in February, 2002 in the Archdiocese of Boston as the Boston Globe began its series of articles revealing instances of clerical sexual abuse of minors. The group, which first met in St. John's parish school cafeteria in Wellesley, grew and spread very rapidly. In three months time it claimed 6,800 supporters all around the country and the world. Its July convention in Boston drew 4,200 persons. By January, 2003, VOTF claimed over 25,000 registered supporters, and by April it numbered over 170 Parish Voice affiliates. VOTF stated as its mission to provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the gov- emance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Its goals: 1) to support those who have been abused, 2) to support priests of integrity, and 3) to shape structural change within the Church. Some pastors in Boston and Portland, Maine, refused to allow VOTF to meet on their parish property. Quickly, several bishops issued direc- tives to prevent VOTF from holding meetings on church premises in their dioceses. I * Professor of Canon Law, Washington Theological Union Thomas Daily in Brooklyn, Nicholas DiMarzio in Camden, Joseph Gerry in Port- land, Maine, Bernard Law in Boston, William Lori in Bridgeport, William Murphy in Rockville Centre, John Myers in Newark, and Robert Vasa in Baker, Oregon. Source: Grant Gallicho, Are The Bishops Listening? An Interview with VOTF's James E. Post, Commonweal 130:11 (June 6, 2003) 12. In April, 2003 Bishop Daily, following the recommendation of a diocesan commit- tee appointed to dialogue with VOTE, revoked his earlier ban and left the decision to make parish facilities available for VOTF meetings up to the individual pastors of Brooklyn. Brooklyn Diocese to Allow Voice of the Faithful Meetings in Church-related Facilities, Origins 33:1 (May 15, 2003) 1-3.

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