Web posted
Friday, April 18, 2003
Voice of the Faithful begins alternate Catholic charity drive in Connecticut
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) ‹ A local Voice of the Faithful chapter has started a charity fund as an alternative for Catholics who don't want to donate to the Bridgeport diocese's annual fund-raising drive, a tactic Voice chapters have employed elsewhere.
The Connecticut group says the funds will aid diocesan services like schools, hospitals and soup kitchens.
Some Catholics question donating to the bishop's fund because money might be used to settle sexual abuse lawsuits, said local Voice chairman Joseph O'Callaghan. A diocesan spokesman said the bishop's annual appeal does not pay for abuse settlements and that diocese does not support the alternative fund.
Bishop William Lori refuses to let the Voice chapter meet on church property.
In Boston, Catholic Charities decided last week to accept $35,000 from a Voice of the Faithful fund despite opposition from the archdiocese.
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