Coastal Delmarva Voice of the Faithful

History

Exploratory meetings in October 2003 and November 2003

Became an affiliate December 2003

Now meet monthly September through June

Steering Committee meets monthly throughout the year and Standing Committees meet regularly

Approximately 60 members

Committees

Survivor Support                                             Education

Priest Support                                                 Program

Structural Change                                           Prayer and Fellowship

Membership                                                    Finance

Communication

Accomplishments and Activities

Goal 1 – Support Survivors

• Held two listening sessions with survivors  - November 2003 and November 2004

Goal 2  - Support Priests of Integrity

• Dialog with Fr. Richard Reissmann – February 2004
• Dialog with Fr. Raymond Forrester – June 2004
• Contact area pastors monthly providing them with VOTF meeting minutes and other VOTF information

Goal 3 – Shape Structural Change within the Church

• Representatives met with Bishop Saltarelli for dialog about VOTF – December 2003
• Wrote letter to Bishop Saltarelli inviting him to meet with our affiliate – April 2004
• Letters from members protesting Cardinal Law’s assignment to Rome published in

Dialog and News Journal – June 2004

• VOTF Members elected to St. Ann’s Parish Council
• Mentored formation of Newark, DE VOTF

Education – Lectures and Video Presentations

• The Laity’s Rights Under Canon Law – Sr. Jeanne Hamilton – January 2004
• The Documents of Vatican II and the Role of the Laity – Carlene Sandella – May 2004
• Presentation by Judy Miller on the History, Accomplishments and Goals of the Montgomery County, MD VOTF – September 2004
• The Laity are the Church: Reflections in a Time of Crisis - video presentation of Rev. Richard O’Brien’s speech to VOTF Maine – October 2004
• What We Need to Do to Be a Successful VOTF Affiliate – Fr. Robert Duggan – December 2004