The Center for Catholic Studies at Fairfield University is co-sponsoring a conference by Voice of the Faithful in the Diocese of Bridgeport (VOTF) on Saturday, March 23. The keynote speaker is Francis Oakley, who will be presenting on “The Conciliar Heritage and the Politics of Oblivion.” Oakley is President Emeritus of Williams College, and co-authored the 2011 book The Crisis of Authority in Catholic Modernity.

The 11^th annual conference is being held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the BCC Oak Room at Fairfield University.

Founded in 2002, in response to the priestly sexual abuse scandals in the Archdiocese of Boston, VOTF has been described by some bishops as "anti-Church and, ultimately, anti-Catholic " and a group that "has used the current crisis in the Church as a springboard for presenting an agenda that is anti-Church and ultimately anti-Catholic."

Past conference presenters have included controversial University of Notre Dame theologian Richard P. McBrien, and Australian Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, who “urges change in Church teaching concerning all sexual relationships.” He was a plenary speaker and retreat presenter for a March 2012 symposium on Catholicism and Homosexuality organized by the censured New Ways Ministry.

While Bishop of Bridgeport, Bishop William E. Lori banned Voice of the Faithful from meeting in parishes in the diocese.

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