<h3>&nbsp;A Statement by Catholic Reform Groups</h3> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >This statement is attributed to the coalition of organizations and individuals listed below:</p> <blockquote> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >&quot;We the representatives of leading Catholic organizations are again gathering at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting to express our love and concern for our church and all those who have suffered from its abuses.</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Our message to the bishops is a simple one: We are the church. We are not outsiders and will not stand idly by as our church suffers through its current scandal.</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >We are not here to further our own agendas as the bishops so insultingly stated. We are here to pursue an agenda of justice.</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Our concerns too are very simple: we find it troubling that the Vatican is attempting to usurp civil laws with canon law - taking alleged abusers to Rome for confidential hearings by tribunal in lieu of democratic civil procedures that apply to all.</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >In addition we continue to be disturbed by bishops who deflect responsibility and lay blame for their own actions on other groups including gay priests.</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >We call on the people of the church to continue demanding accountability from their bishops and urge them to continue praying for the victims of abuse and all others who feel betrayed by this on-going scandal.&quot;</p> </blockquote> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Catholics for a Free<br /> Choice Roxanne Evans<br /> (202) 986-6093</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Dignity USA<br /> Marianne Duddy<br /> (617) 669-7810 (cell)</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Women's Ordination Conference<br /> Erin Hanley<br /> (703) 352-1006</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Corpus<br /> Anthony T. Padovano<br /> (973) 539-8732</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >LINKUP<br /> Sue Archibald<br /> (435) 640-1169 (cell)</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Women in Spirit of Colorado:<br /> Catholic Women for Reform<br /> Kay Norton Haughey</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Sisters Against Sexism &amp;<br /> Loretto Women's Network<br /> Ruth McDonough Fitzpatrick</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Greater Cincinnati Women Church<br /> Ruth Hittner Steinert</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >The Federation of Christian Ministries<br /> Bridget Mary Meehan<br /> (703) 379-2487</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity<br /> Lena Woltering<br /> (618) 234-4073</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Catholics Speak Out<br /> Rea Howarth<br /> (301) 699-0042</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >WATER<br /> WomenChurch Convergence<br /> Mary Hunt<br /> (301) 589-2509</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>