Coastal Delmarva VOTF

3/4/07
Dear Friends of VOTF:

Wednesday, March 21 promises to be a very busy day for us! Our next general meeting is set for that evening at 7 p.m. at the South Coastal Library in Bethany Beach with Delaware Senator Karen Peterson as our guest speaker.

The same day the Senate Health and Social Services Committee has scheduled a public hearing in Dover about the Child Victim's Act (SB 29) at 3 p.m. Room TBD. Photo ID required.

We are encouraging those able to do so to attend the hearing. (Car pooling worked very well last year.) And we are hoping all of you will turn out at that night to hear Sen. Peterson and to offer your support of her sponsorship of this bill.
The Coalition to Support the Child Victim's Act www.childvictimsvoice.com has information on their web site about the hearing (including directions to Legislative Hall), and is asking that you let them know if you plan to attend. While you're visiting the site, don't forget to join the coalition and leave your positive comments about the provisions of the bill.

Also, don't forget to contact the members of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee, as well as all other senators and representatives to ask for their support of SB 29.

This is the moment we've been working toward--our chance to show our support for the protection of children in Delaware. They're counting on us!

With fiercest hope,

Skip Sullivan

03/18/07
Dear Friends of VOTF:

I'm forwarding Senator Peterson's email regarding next Wednesday's hearing on SB 29. Please note that it begins at 2:00 p.m. Carpools will leave St. Ann's in Bethany at 12 noon.

There is still time to contact members of the Senate Health and Social Services Committee (and other legislators) to express your support for the bill at www.legis.state.de.us. For the latest information on the progress of the bill and the status of the coalition see www.childvictimsvoice.com. Please sign the guest book while you're there.

Don't forget that Senator Peterson will be speaking to us at the South Coastal Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Let's all turn out to show our support of her courageous effort on behalf of this issue.

With fiercest hope,
Skip Sullivan

From Senator Peterson:

Sen. Henry decided to start the meeting earlier than originally scheduled to give us a little more time (we're actually scheduled from 2 to 3:30 but could go a little longer if necessary). The ground rules will be that each person/organization will be given 5 minutes to address the committee. Committee members will then be able to ask questions. We expect the bill to get out of committee on Wednesday and I have reserved a slot on the Senate's agenda for Wednesday, April 4th (we usually go into session around 4 p.m. on Wednesdays).

Don't forget to bring a picture ID to get into Legislative Hall.

Parking at Leg Hall might be difficult so please give yourself a little extra time. Senate Bill 5 (the stem cell bill) will also be heard in committee (a different committee) at the same time we are hearing testimony on SB 29. That's why parking might be a challenge. The best place to look for a parking spot is behind the Archives Building (across the street from Leg Hall).

If anybody has any questions about the proceedings in Leg Hall, please let me know.

03/22/07

Dear Friends of Coastal Delmarva VOTF:

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's hearing of Senate Bill 29 in Dover. No doubt the presence of so many of us, along with the others in the standing room only crowd, contributed to the speedy release of the bill out of committee. The link below will take you to today's News Journal article recounting the details of the harrowing testimony given by victims and the continuing attempts of diocesan lobbyists to confuse the issue and avoid accountability (also attached in Word format). Please note that both the Lt. Governor and a representative of the Attorney General's office spoke in favor of the bill as it is written.

The bill is now scheduled for a full Senate vote on Wednesday, April 4. In her talk to us last evening, Senator Peterson emphasized strongly that we must fill the visitor's gallery on that day to encourage lawmakers to stand firm on the bill during the vote. In the meantime, she suggested we contact every senator stating our wish that the bill be passed without amendment! Efforts also continue to recruit coalition partners. Please see www.childvictimsvoice.com for the latest updates on the effort and other pertinent information.

Finally, please keep the progress of this legislation in your prayers, as well as Senator Peterson herself. She and the other legislators sponsoring this bill are under enormous pressure from special interest groups more concerned with protecting their financial assets than the welfare of our children. We must do our best to keep them from succeeding!

With fiercest hope,
Skip Sullivan

03/29/07
Dear Friends of Coastal Delmarva VOTF:

FYI: Please take this opportunity to review the statements of the two candidates who are offering to represent Region 4 to the VOTF National Representative Council and cast your vote by April 4.

Peace,
Skip Sullivan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Opportunity to Vote for Region 4 Rep to VOTF National Rep Council
Date: 3/21/2007 7:10:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: region4votf@yahoo.com
To: vlsde@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Dear Region 4 Voice of the Faithful members,

Please take this opportunity to participate in the election to fill a
position on the VOTF National Representative Council from Region 4 (DE,
DC, MD, VA, WV). Chuck Miller and Rich Moriarty are currently your
representatives to the VOTF National Representative Council. Rich’s two
year term expires on July 1, 2007. Chuck’s two year term ends in July
2008.

There are two candidates running for this position: Jack Keating
(Northern Delaware Affiliate) and Rich Moriarty (VOTF Affiliate at the
Church of the Resurrection, Chesapeake, VA).

PLEASE READ THE CANDIDATES STATEMENTS BELOW AND CAST YOUR VOTE.

To cast your vote, hit return to this message and:
•    Send your vote to: region4votf@yahoo.com NO LATER THAN APRIL 4th.
•    Simply state: I vote for (enter name of your candidate).
•    Also include your full name and your city and state of residence.

NOTE: If there is more than one VOTF member at your e-mail address and
each member wishes to vote for representative, he or she should send a
separate e-mail to the address above.

Judy and Chuck Miller
VOTF Montgomery County Maryland
Election Committee

P.S. Our apologizes to any who have asked that their name be removed from
this e-mail list. We are working on it, but please tell us again so that
we can be sure to remove your name from our list. We sincerely apologize
for the inconvience.

*****************************************************

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS:

National Representative Council Candidate Statement
Jack Keating, Wilmington, DE

I am a committed Catholic with 12 years catholic school eduction with a BS
in
Business from the University of Delaware. In 1996 I came forward that I
was a victim
of sexual abuse from the age of 5 till 12. After extensive counseling, I
sent much time in my
community for the cause of those sexually abused.

I joined VOTF in 2005 to help protect innocent children and those already
victimized. With
time I saw the need to support innocent priest abandon by their dioceses
in the mist of a
painful scandal. It is my belief that we can achieve structural change in
the Catholic Church
through a "Catholic Constitution.

The future of the church is in the laity. A Catholic Constitution is a
document put together by parishioners ,voted on by the parish
members as a guide for the community an achieve common
goals. What better way to spiritually awaken those already in the pews and
bring back those who have fallen away.

My lifestyle as a self employed businessman allows me the flexible to work
on personal interests as VOTF. I have public speaking in my backround and a strong desire to grow VOTF and save the Catholic Church from itself.

Sincerely,

Jack Keating

National Representative Council Candidate Statement
Rich Moriarty, Chesapeake VA

A Representative Council, democratically elected and empowered by the
laity, working in concert with a respected clergy, is my vision of our
Church. This fundamental structural change will begin to address the
issues which are at the root of the abuse scandal.

As our shortage of priests simultaneously becomes a shortage of bishops, I
wish to work for equal access to all positions of ministry and leadership
within our Church for men and women, be they single, married, divorced or
widowed.

I look to an empowered and accountable laity, working through its
representatives, to have a meaningful role in both the selection of
clerical leaders and the financial management of our Church.

With structural change, all members of our Church can work together to do
the great works expected from us here on earth.

Short Bio:
60 years old
Married for 35 years with three adult children
Univ. Massachusetts, BA
Univ. Massachusetts M.D.
Region 4 National Representative June 2005 to present
Attended Boston and Indianapolis Conventions
Founding member of VOTF affiliate at Church of the Resurrection

Home>Archives
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------