Voice of the Faithful

Mission and goals projects included: (1) the annual review and report on diocesan financial transparency and accountability, which was distributed to all u.s. bishops and diocesan cfos as well as to members and media. (2) maintenance of the diocesan finances database portal for catholics to assess their dioceses financial reporting. (3) first annual review of diocesan financial governance, which was distributed to all u.s. bishops and diocesan cfos as well as to members and media. (4) developed a worksheet in preparation for the first annual review of diocesan safe environment policies and programs and in conjunction with child protection specialists and researchers. (5) planned an extension of the diocesan database portal to include collected data on diocesan child protection programs. (6) maintained reference and advocacy materials for child protection on the website. (7) provided information about the broken vessel healing circles programs for those impacted by clergy sex abuse and maintained related information on the website. (8) conducted mini-synods on governance and child protection programs. (9) planned and initiated 43 listening sessions in support of the diocesan phase of the synod on synodality, including the training of facilitators and scribes to lead sessions and collect the information. (9) collaborated with other reform organizations on synodality projects, clericalism, and womens roles in the church.

Member support and communications projects inform members and media about projects and general catholic news using a semimonthly electronic newsletter and daily blog postings. We distributed specialized emails alerting members on breaking news about catholic church reform and issues, about national and local votf meetings, about catholic adult education courses and speaker presentations related to church reform. We also continued to post reports about clerical sexual abuse on the web site. In addition, we updated and moved the votf website to a more robust platform for handling program documentation and access.

Member support and communications projects - prepared and distributed semimonthly electronic newsletter and daily blog postings to members about votf actions and catholic news. Provided speakers on votf projects for affiliate meetings. Distributed specialized emails alerting members to breaking news on catholic church reform and issues. Alerted members to petition issues and opportunities for action on church reform through regular emails prepared by staff. Alerted members via emails about votf national and local meetings, catholic adult education courses (both on-site and online) and speaker presentations related to church reform. Posted new reports about clerical sexual abuse on web site.

Member development and action meetings generated support and sponsors for votf programs, facilitated project collaboration with other reform groups, and provided project reports to members. Work included preparation and distribution of information highlighting various votf projects. We maintained monthly and quarterly contacts with affiliate leaders and our monthly partners and reported to members significant news and information regarding action plans and collaborative efforts. the highlight was our annual conference with keynote speakers and activities dedicated to church reform.