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'Faithful Voices' Dvd Now Available

By Eileen Connelly
The Catholic Telegraph [Cincinnati OH]
July 27, 2005

ARCHDIOCESE — With the hope it will serve as an educational tool, promote dialogue in area parishes and raise awareness of the organization's three-fold mission, the Cincinnati affiliate of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) has released a new DVD entitled "Faithful Voices."

According to Bob Schoettinger, who serves on the local affiliate's outreach committee, the group believed there was a need for a "real, human presentation," of the experiences of survivors of clerical abuse, along with VOTF's mission. Working together with David DeWitt, a recent high-school graduate and parishioner at St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel, the two set out to accomplish this.

The project took nine months and involved every aspect of production, said DeWitt, including interviews with priests, VOTF members and abuse survivors. "Watching the people we interviewed, hearing the emotion in their voices and seeing the tears in their eyes was powerful," he said. "I think the DVD will make people aware of the reality of the problem and that it's something we should all be concerned about."

The production also clarifies VOTF's mission and purpose, Schoettinger explained, which is to support the survivors of clergy sexual abuse, support priests of integrity and shape structural change within the church.

In recognition of DeWitt's initiative and involvement in producing the DVD, Cincinnati VOTF recently presented the young man with special award featuring a copy of it encased in plexiglass. DeWitt also received the Simon Lazarus Award from the American Jewish Committee for his efforts. "Both were a huge honor," he said.

The DVD is available for purchase by individuals or groups at a cost of $7.95. For more information, contact Nan Fischer, VOTF regional coordinator, at 513-708-8240.