 |
| we are called... |
| our principles... |
| Who We Are |
 |
| "All of you who have been baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Him. There does not exist among you Jew or Greek, slave or freeman, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, if you belong to Christ you are the descendants of Abraham, which means you inherit all that was promised." Gal. 3:27-289 |
The Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People (Christifideles Laici), John Paul II Dec. 30 1988 # 9 -- The term 'lay faithful' (Lumen Gentium) is understood to mean all the faithful except those in Holy Orders and those who belong to a religious state sanctioned by the Church. Through Baptism the lay faithful are made one body with Christ and are established among the People of God. They are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetic and kingly office of Christ. # 28 -- Each Member of the lay faithful should always be fully aware of being a 'member of the Church' yet entrusted with a unique task which cannot be done by another and which is to be fulfilled for the good of all. Mission of the Redeemer, (Redemptoris Missio) John Paul II, Dec. 7, 1990 # 71 -- Because of their secular character (the faithful) are especially called 'to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and ordering those in accordance with the will of God. |
| VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL is comprised of devoted Catholics -- from laity, to religious, to ordained -- brought together by the current crisis in our church. Among us are your lectors, your ushers, your eucharistic ministers, your parish council. We are the person next to you at Mass. |
We are a Prayerful Voice Prayer is central to our response to this crisis in the Catholic Church: prayer for the abused and their families, prayer for the Church and our priests of integrity, and prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance in shaping the future of the Church. We are Led by the Spirit Jesus, on the day of Pentecost, sent the Holy Spirit to guide and protect His faithful. The Voice of the Faithful must seek endlessly to understand where the Spirit is leading the Church, and to be an instrument for the Spirit. We are a Collective Voice Our purpose is to create a voice within the faithful of the Catholic Church. We seek to speak with one voice to influence the path our Church and leadership takes. We are an Inclusive Voice The renewed Church must lead, guide and protect all of its flock. The needs and concerns of the entire Catholic community must be heard. VOTF seeks to bring us together, to find a common voice in response to the present crisis. We are Respectful of every Voice We understand that there is a broad range of views within the Catholic community. It is important that every voice be heard and respected. We are Concerned for those who have no Voice This crisis we face in the Church has been caused in part by secrecy and the silencing of the victims. VOTF seeks to ensure that never again will any of the faithful be without a voice. We work for change Within the Church We wish to improve our Church, not to harm it or leave it. We are a Grass Roots organization "By reason of the knowledge, competence or preeminence which they have, the laity are empowered -- indeed somtimes obliged -- to manifest their opinion on those things which pertain to the good of the church." #37 Lumen Gentium (Vatican II) We seek to Cooperate with existing Church structures whenever possible VOTF encourages Parish Voices to work with the parish clergy, parish staff, lay groups and the broader church community which is the mystical body of Christ. |
 |