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To: american colleen
They still verbally abuse and intimidate parishioners who had nothing to do with any of this. In fact, it happened again yesterday at the Lenten Mass. Two dozen protesters outside yelling and screaming and two inside --- stood up and faced backwards while the new bishop gave his homily and when the bishop was done, they left. Tripped leaving the pew, though.

Is this VOTF? That kind of stuff is ridiculous. As you say, the parishioners had nothing to do with what Law did, and Law's gone anyway.

They're not going to gain any additional converts with tactics like this.

44 posted on 03/06/2003 2:53:26 PM PST by sinkspur
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To: sinkspur; sandyeggo
It's a combined effort spearheaded by VOTF. You can see the "Lenten Plan" they have coordinated here -- including a "Good Friday Protest" and Stations of the Cross at 14 of the local parishes where abuse took place - but they'll be using pictures of the victims instead of the pictures of Our Lord. All coordinated to include the presence of the media, of course.

They don't like the interim bishop, Archbishop Lennon because he hasn't aquiesed to their wishes. First they were almost obsequious to him and now, a few months later, since he hasn't given them carte blanche, they are excoriating him.

Here's one of the e-mails from VOTF to other VOTF members:

* Why don't we combine an action at each of Lennon's regional meetings with Mike's idea of a weekly theme? I think we want to be in his face at those regional things, and having a theme each week will give the press something more interesting to cover than the repetitive goings-on inside. I also think we should have a few people inside, in case the format allows us to get near a mike.

* I like the chancery action because it reminds me of Steve Lynch's 40 days, and it also brings us into Lennon's neighborhood. But I think we should do something secular, not churchy. I think each week at the chancery could be coordinated with Mike's idea of a theme.

* Note that Lennon opens his "Lenten Program -- Towards Healing and Holiness" ("initiative" is the Globe's word, not Lennon's) on Ash Wednesday at noon and ends it on 4/17 at 1:00, both at the Cathedral. I think we should there for both.

* Good Friday among Catholics is often marked by Stations of the Cross. Why don't we hire a bus (or do a motorcade) and have a Survivors' Stations, going to 14 scenes of abuse all over Boston, with reporters invited along and media opportunities, ending with a press conference in front of the chancery?

* Since VOTF Central hasn't reacted, is it time to put individual activist VOTF groups like Mike's and Steve's in the media contacts? In the "Why" section, bring the SNAP item up in the list, and say "VOTF members," not "VOTF."


45 posted on 03/06/2003 4:47:26 PM PST by american colleen (Christe Eleison!)
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