Who are we? Voice of the Faithful of Greater Philadelphia (VOTF-GP) is an affiliate of Voice of the Faithful, a worldwide organization of more than 40,000 Catholic men and women formed in January 2002 in the Boston area to deal with the sexual abuse crisis in the Church and the cover-up of that abuse by the hierarchy.
VOTF-GP has over 300 members in more than 40 Catholic parishes spread throughout Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
What are our goals? VOTF-GP shares the stated goals of the parent organization in Boston:
- to support those who have been abused (contact: Joy Wuenschel,joycewuenschel@verizon.net);
- to support priests of integrity; and
- to shape structural change within the Church.
To accomplish these goals, VOTF-GP reaches out to those who have been abused and to priests of integrity to offer support and to find ways of working together. It also seeks dialogue with Church leaders to explore how the laity can find a more meaningful voice in the Church.
Composed of faithful Catholics, VOTF-GP does not question the teaching authority of the Church. It seeks to provide an open and safe forum where Catholics of all points of view and backgrounds can freely and respectfully discuss the challenges facing the Church. It calls for the laity to have its rightful place in full accord with Church teaching in Canon Law, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Vatican II.
VOTF-GP envisions a Church of accountability and transparency in which the laity, vowed religious, clergy and hierarchy will be partners in decision-making. If all of these members of the Body of Christ had been actively and meaningfully engaged in the operations of the Church, the sexual abuse of children would have been addressed immediately and not allowed to continue. VOTF-GP sees the current crisis as an opportunity to renew the structure of the Church so that it becomes more fully "the People of God"—a loving community affirming and drawing upon the gifts, experience and intelligence of all its members.
Who are our members? Members of VOTF-GP are the “people in the pews”—dedicated Catholics who serve as lectors at Mass, teach CCD (PREP) classes, sing in the choir, take communion to the sick, and serve as Eucharistic ministers, ushers, deacons, and members of parish pastoral councils.
It is their strong commitment to their faith that has brought them together in the spirit of Vatican II to cleanse and renew the Church and move it forward into the 21st century. They accept the authority of their bishop and the pope, but see the need for increased participation by the laity in the governance and operation of the Church.
What can you do? If you are shocked and saddened by the collapse of leadership and trust in the Church, and would like to take part in its renewal, you can join with thousands of Catholics around the world by becoming a member of Voice of the Faithful through its Greater Philadelphia affiliate. Membership dues are $20 for individuals and $25 for families. As a member,you will be notified of upcoming activities of the affiliate in which you can participate.
