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1. While a worthy cause, this is clearly a new 4th mission or VOTF. It not only distracts internally from focus on the missions we already have, but much worse, it now gives the hierarchy a powerful ground on which to oppose efforts to create a dialog. Those that want to do this should go start their own new organization! Sat, 3/8/08 9:17 AM
3. Right now women are able to serve in the church in all areas except where ordination as been made a prerequisite. I think you will be seen as supporting ordination since that is the only role not open to women. Where I live women serve in all parish and diocesan roles that don't require ordination so where women are not in these roles needs to be addressed locally where it is not the norm Tue, 3/4/08 5:32 PM
4. Have we really achieved the original charter goals? I know we haven't in our Diocese. Until we are more a part of the Church governance, let's keep our goals intact. Tue, 3/4/08 4:24 PM
7. It would be very detrimental to the VOTF mission to add this important issue to the three main VOTF goals. We cannot focus on inequality of women at this time. Mon, 3/3/08 11:07 AM
9. VOTF Orange County is STRONGLY opposed to this resolution. It gives ammunition to bishops to marginalize VOTF: "See! That's their hidden agenda!" We agree that women's place in ministry shoudl be rethought. But we STRONGLY oppose VOTF's taking this on as an issue. Once we can secure the laity's "place at the table" in Church governance, other issues (like this one) will begin to fall in place. Taking on such issues now will interfere with our getting that place at the table. (P.S. VOTF took a similar position regarding mandatory celibacy (which we also disagreed with. What good has come from that?) Mon, 3/3/08 10:14 AM
11. There has been much rancor and division within VOTF in recent months. This is not the time to propose a controversial resolution. The new leadership team needs time to settle in and to bring healing and new vigor to the organization. Sun, 3/2/08 9:46 PM
13. I would like to see the laity, including women, have a voice in decision making in the Church. Clericalism denies the voice of all laity, not just women. I do feel strongly, however, that if preaching the Word is limited to ordained ministry, that women should be ordained as deacons so that they can preach from the pulpit.However, I feel that if the focus is on women only, ears will be closed, as many fear any discussion of women priests. Allowing all laity, men and women, to have a voice in decisions in the church is a giant first step forward. Sun, 3/2/08 1:28 PM
17. I personally have no desire to seek priesthood, although I respect the right of other women to do so. I disagree that having women priests/hierarchy would prevent sexual abuse and cover-up. However I believe it would lessen it to a certain degree. We will always have male clergy so the sexual abuse factor will continue to exist, but the chances of cover-up will lessen if women are allowed to become bishops. I do not foresee the ordination of women becoming a reality in our lifetime. Ordination of married deacons followed by married priests will come first. VOTF should focus on its three goals; there are other groups for women who are advocating for women's ordination. Thank you. Sat, 3/1/08 7:40 PM
19. It is not the role of VOTF to attempt to change Cannon law. Furthermore, I do see women involved in decision and policy making roles in the church. Sat, 3/1/08 5:37 PM
21. The issue of women's roles is not part of VOTF's mission. I have had trouble recruiting people to VOTF because they think we have "mission creep" and they want to direct their time and energy to their local parishes. They also have experienced VOTF as angry, unreasonable people. Sad to have to say so. Sat, 3/1/08 3:21 PM
25. Wrong Group. To support Women's ordination, which the Vatican declares doctrinally impossible, one should join CTA, Future Church, or Womens Ordination Conference. Fri, 2/29/08 5:16 PM
26. VOTF maintains its credibility, its effectiveness, and its leverage over detractors by the clear limitation of its focus. Until these advantages become entrenched, we jeopardize not only our original mission but whatever related objectives we introduce, no matter how strong our approval or how urgent or related they may be. Fri, 2/29/08 4:50 PM
27. opponents say to approve this resolution would add a goal; I see it as an activity under the third goal; not sure how to answer #4 because am not sure what it implies: are we talking here about women priests? If that is the point, i think to do so would be premature; lets pressure the "church" to re-examine first. Fri, 2/29/08 12:24 PM
30. Let's not destroy VOTF. Some in VOTF insist on Ordained women - in direct contravention of Christ's example. Fri, 2/29/08 10:37 AM
31. We suspected all along this may be coming when VOTF was first born. We thought we had put this to bed. If this becomes policy I and others are opting out of VOTF. This has nothing to do with the problems of the Church we are currently struggling with. Fri, 2/29/08 8:55 AM
36. Please remember the original mission statement of Voice of the Faithful from the 2002 Convention held in Boston that I attended. Support,pray,love,and embrace those women and men who have been sexually abused by priests, nuns and other religious in this country. The church only understands money.....withhold it and they will listen!!!!! Somehow YOU have lost your way! Thu, 2/28/08 9:51 PM
38. VOTF is widely and falsly cricized for having a secert heterodox agenda. This proposal is far afield of VOTF's 3 goals and will eviscerate the organization. IT is an appallingly bad idea. Thu, 2/28/08 8:59 PM
42. I don't think we're there yet on our stated goals when we started, and adding a goal which (although as far as I'm concerned is obviously needed) will immediately "turn off" the hierarchy is not the most astute thing we could be doing... Thu, 2/28/08 7:41 PM
43. I wholeheartedly believe women should be treated as equals in the church and society. I support ordination of women, as well as married men. However, I think VOTF should stay focused on its original mission statement. As we all know the question ordination for women is so volatile it would be a detraction from the good works of VOTF. Thu, 2/28/08 7:19 PM
45. Please strive for success with the founding goals. I agree that it will water down the progress VOTF has made thus far. Also, it is too controversial and will result in some members dropping - since focus has changed. Thu, 2/28/08 6:42 PM
46. I would like to say "yes" to question #4 but am concerned about the political and strategic results. Thu, 2/28/08 6:20 PM
50. I believe that there should be no gender roles in the Church and agree that it is time to change this, but was swayed by the opposition argument against VOTF taking this stance. I am very concerned that these questions sort of lead one to answer in support of the petition. I think it would be better to ask whether we agree or disagree with the arguments put forth pro and con. After answering four of the five questions consistent with the proposal, it is hard to say do not take a position. Thu, 2/28/08 5:52 PM
51. I am strongly opposed to this resolution, and hope VOTF does not carry this further. By comparison, I applaud VOTF for having come out in support of re-examining celibacy for the diocesan priesthood, which directly applies to Goal #2 and Goal #3. Having married priests would do much to bring our church back to health. But it is not a lack of women in leadership that caused problems with abuse. There was a woman Pastoral Associate at a local parish that allowed her entire church to be given bad information about a priest that had been accused of abuse. Only when I tactfully and graciously pinned her against the wall, by telling her I knew what she'd reported to her parish was a downright lie, she came out with the truth. She had to be forced into telling the truth about him. She had to be shamed into telling the truth. Thus, whether it's a woman or a man in leadership, it makes no difference. We need accountability, transparency, and lay people KEEPING a voice in the church, locally and at the Vatican level. Women already have a big enough voice -- in some cases, women have a bigger voice and play a BIGGER role in the church than lay men. Let's help priests be married, if they choose. That will help. Later, after the church heals, VOTF can help women over the age of 40 to be deacons. But I would strongly oppose VOTF bringing this issue to the forefront now. It's a bad idea. It would even turn me off. Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts -- it's wonderful that you are doing a survey first. I hope your respondents have only VOTF mentalities, because if VOTF has too many Call to Action and Future Church members in it now, the results of this VOTF survey will be skewed. Thu, 2/28/08 5:35 PM
52. there is no inequality for women in the church. More women are honored and revered than male role models. VOTF is entering into an area that strays to the feminest agenda, and away from its' founding principles Thu, 2/28/08 5:08 PM
55. If Christ had wanted feminine governance he would have appointed women to positions in accordance with male priests. He did not and now lets understand that our church is a theocracy, Thu, 2/28/08 4:53 PM
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