Cincinnati Voice of the Faithful

 An open letter to our membership, supporters and the local community.

Regarding the recent disclosures of alleged criminal behavior of Fr. Geoff Drew and other priests in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, both past and present:

• First and foremost, our concern must be for the pain and suffering of the victims and survivors of clerical abuse and for the tragedy of young lives damaged and stained because of the failure of our Church to live up to its responsibility to protect our Children.

• Cincinnati VOTF recognizes and applauds the great courage of all the victims and the families that came forward to report abusive grooming behaviors. 

• VOTF Cincinnati is saddened, but definitely not surprised, by the continued cover ups and blatant disregard for victims of clerical abuse by our Cincinnati church leadership.

Over the past fifteen years Greater Cincinnati VOTF has repeatedly called on our local leadership, Retired Archbishop Daniel Pilarcryck, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Binzer, for transparency and accountability. These two words are so often repeated and promised --- but rarely, if ever practiced.  

The diocese agreed to post the names of clergy with “credible” allegations on the Cincinnati Archdiocese website. This posting is incomplete. The diocese references the standards of “Semblance of truth’ and speaks of “Credible allegation” within Cincinnati’s written “Decree on Child Protection”. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati also has a “Code of Best Practices for Priests”. Recent events demonstrate continuing and ongoing issues with instances of clerical misconduct, and/or abusive behaviors that are a breach of these standards. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is clearly lacking transparency in these matters.

It is apparent that the Cincinnati Archdiocese leadership has not been willing or able to do the hard work of accountability. Parental concerns are not adequately reported back to either the parish schools, the parents or the larger community.  Other reported concerns have been dismissed, ignored or minimized. This cannot continue.

VOICES IN ACTION

• Write, call and email Archbishop Dennis Schnurr and demand that he immediately make public disclosure and post on the archdiocese website all incidents of priestly misconduct involving children, youth and young adults- both past and present. Remember, time after time, priests have engaged in grooming behaviors leading up to criminal abuse.

• Insist that the diocese involve parents and other lay Catholics in the vetting process for those hired and/or holding any responsibility for responding to reports of priest misconduct (for example, Chancellor, Director of Priest Personnel, Review Board, Coordinator of Ministry to Survivors of Abuse, Safe Environment Coordinator, etc.) It is time for parents to have substantial oversight of our archdiocese when our children’s safety is at stake.

• Insist that our church leaders, and personnel use the words “crime”, “grooming”, or “abuse” in describing these incidents of sexual misconduct. It is not enough to describe these as “sins”. They are not just Church matters.  These are immoral and criminal actions that require legal action within the public community. Praying for healing, and affirming that everyone is a “sinner” and that we all need forgiveness and redemption, does not stop abuse. Vigilance, prompt reporting of concerns to police or child protection agencies, and criminal prosecution will.

• Demand the immediate dismissal of Fr. Steve Angi as Chancellor. He has failed to complete his duties competently and new leadership (preferably lay) is needed for this task.  (See Pages 22- 31 of the “Decree on Child Protection”).

• Write your OH State legislators to encourage them to pass a civil statute of limitation (SOL) “window” so that adult survivors of child abuse can bring their claims forward. It will help child abuse victims who are now adults. It will make the community safer by bringing the names of more perpetrators to the public’s attention. This action may also help bring about the necessary disclosures of the secret records of churches and other institutions regarding abuse of children.

• Write your OH State legislators and ask them to eliminate fully the criminal Statute of Limitations (SOL) for Child Sexual Abuse.  This action will help those children that are abused in the future, but will not help those who were abused in the past.

• Catholics may wish to write to Pope Francis and tell him that we need new leadership in our Cincinnati archdiocese. Ask that Pope Francis compel Archbishop Dennis Schnurr, and Bishop Joseph Binzer to address their leadership failures. Ask that Pope Francis request their resignations.

Greater Cincinnati Voice of the Faithful believes that victims of abuse and their families, as well as the members of the Church and the wider community all deserve truth, justice and healing.

We recognize that healing requires not just “prayers” but the tenaciousness and courage to work for truth and justice. It involves taking action to bring about transparency and accountability. 

We call on everyone to take action to bring this most needed change to our Church and to our community.  

Cincinnati VOTF Coordinating Committee

September, 2019

info@votfcincinnati.org

Keep the Faith, Change the Church

Who will speak, if you don’t?



Resources for Action:

Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Archbishop: Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr
Bishop: Rev. Joseph R. Binzer
100 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA

Email: http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/about-us-2/contact-us/

Phone: (513) 421-3131 

The Papal Nuncio
The Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See
3339 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008  
 

Pope Francis
His Holiness, Pope Francis PP.
00120 Via del Pellegrino
Citta del Vaticano

Ohio Legislature  https://www.legislature.ohio.gov

Contact Ohio State Representatives https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislators/house-directory

Contact Ohio State Senators https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislators/senate-directory

Phone legislators: 1-800-282-0253

Cincinnati Enquirer
Enquirer Editorial Page
312 Elm St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Online: https://www.static.cincinnati.com/letter

The Catholic Telegraph
Catholic Telegraph Editorial Page
100 East 8^th Street
Cincinnati OH 45202