The Milwaukee affiliate of Voice of the Faithful, a national Catholic reform group founded in response to the clergy sex abuse scandal, is preparing to fold in September, saying it has been unable to attract new leaders to advance the organization. The decision comes as the national organization, bolstered in recent days by an emergency infusion of cash, prepares to unveil a blueprint that will place a greater emphasis on political activism.
"We've been active and vibrant; it's not for lack of interest," said Nancy Moews, who has led the local chapter since its inception in 2001-'02. "But there's no new leadership willing to take it on."
Local faith leaders voiced disappointment in the news, saying Voice of the Faithful has contributed to the diversity of the dialogue in the local Catholic Church.
The group has functioned as a kind of speakers bureau, drawing sometimes hundreds of people to hear nationally prominent speakers.
"It's regrettable," said Father Kenneth A. Milch of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls, who sits on the board of the Milwaukee Area Priest Alliance.
"Whenever a voice in the discussion of faith . . . is quieted, then we're not as dynamic as we might be."
Moews said the chapter plans to dissolve after the Sept. 26 lecture by Father Richard McBrien, a University of Notre Dame theologian.
She blamed the lack of new leadership in part on what she saw as a growing intolerance in some parts of the church for dissent. Moews said at least one woman who worked for the church decided against taking a leadership role for fear of losing her job, after a Beloit pastoral associate was dismissed this year on allegations of advocating positions contrary to Catholic teaching.
Peter Isely, of the local Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests group, said Voice of the Faithful had lost its focus and centrist roots, alienated conservatives and ultimately came to duplicate efforts of the reform group Call to Action.
"If they would have focused exclusively on the abuse issue . . . including financial issues and matters, where I think they could have been really useful, they might have made it," Isely said.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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