VOTF's financial shortfall

Religion News Service's story about the funding crisis at Catholic reform group, Voice of the Faithful, (Here's the story Tom Roberts filed for us today) quotes Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, which Religion News describes as a "conservative advocacy group":

"They should do the honorable thing and say listen, we hope we have pushed people in the church to change some things. Then they should close up shop."

Religion News explains the quote: "VOTF's activist stance has put off some conservatives, like Donohue, who see VOTF's mission as overstepping the proper role of the laity."

Not so fast, responds Bill Casey, chairman of the VOTF board. "Voice of the Faithful isn't going away or abandoning its mission or goals."

"You do not see front-page stories as much anymore, but we still have indications of abuses and cover-ups happening," said Casey. "The problem now is the underlying causes that allowed this all to happen in the first place."

The worst-case scenario, he said, will be to close its national headquarters but still operate on a volunteer basis through its network of affiliates.

Regardless of the group's own outcome, VOTF will not be silenced, Casey said.