What/Who
We Are
What
is Voice of the Faithful?
VOTF is a worldwide organization of mainstream Catholics that has formed
in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.
VOTF began as a "listening session" of 30 parishioners and
just one year later had over 30,000 registered supporters from 40 US
states and 21 countries. This extraordinary growth has been fueled by
the need to promote dialogue between laity and clergy as we collaborate
to renew the governance structure and processes of our Church.
Who
belongs to Voice of the Faithful?
VOTF members are faith-filled Catholics who have served at the heart
of Catholic parishes for decades, the "people in the pews"
who teach CCD, proclaim the Good News as lectors, speak out for social
justice, sing in the choir, serve as Eucharistic ministers and take
communion to the sick, serve as ushers, deacons, and parish council
members.
Two prominent sociologists published a study in 2005 that showed that VOTF members are among the most committed people in their parishes, actively practice the Catholic faith, and have a rich personal history of Catholic education (www.votf.org/DAntonio/Dantonio_summary.pdf --case sensitive)
What
is the mission of Voice of the Faithful?
The mission of VOTF 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." VOTF does
not seek to change Church teachings. VOTF does seek an active role for
laypersons in Church decision making related to finance, personnel assignments,
and policies that protect our children, honor the rights of victims/survivors
and their families, and support due process for the accused.
