Call To Action gives thanks for everyone who called or wrote their bishop regarding Bishop Bruskewitz' failure to protect children in the Lincoln, Nebraska Diocese.

Rachel Pokora, President of CTA/Nebraska, and CTA/USA staff went to the national bishops' meeting last week to deliver the petitions many of you signed earlier this year. We also went with the intention to request fraternal correction of Bishop Bruskewitz by his fellow bishops and to continue to call public awareness to his failures to protect children from sexual abuse.

While no bishop had the courage to publicly stand up for the children in Lincoln, Nebraska, we definitely succeeded in raising awareness of this campaign both locally and nationally.

Our story was covered across the country from the Baltimore Sun Newspaper to AP/Nebraska's newswire to the headline story on Lincoln's local nightly television news.

Thanks for helping us keep the pressure on Bishop Bruskewitz and for the small steps of victory that keep this campaign going. Stay tuned in the coming months for the campaign's next steps! (And feel free to keep calling your bishop urging him to fraternally correct Bishop Bruskewitz! See post below).

As a result of two press conferences with CTA/Lincoln members and SNAP, the Survivors Network of Those abused by Priests, there was widespread public pressure on Bishop Bruskewitz of the Lincoln Diocese to comply with the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the protection of children from sexual abuse.

As a result of the public pressure, the diocese published an article in its diocesan paper revealing what it was - or WAS NOT - doing to protect children. Bishop Bruskewitz admitted that he was not following the bishops' Charter for the protection of children including not mandating diocese-wide background checks and not implementing "safe environment" programs. The article was the first self-audit he has done and his admission of non-compliance is a step forward in Lincoln's JustChurch campaign!

Now CTA/Lincoln members need your help to keep the pressure on!

Five years ago your bishop and every other U.S. bishop promised to "fraternally correct" their peers who did not fulfill the measures set forth to protect children. But your bishop has not kept his promise; no bishop has challenged Bishop Bruskewitz.

Call your bishop today and ask him to hold Bishop Bruskewitz accountable to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Click here for your bishop's office phone number.

On November 12th, Call To Action will attend the U.S. bishops' meeting to take your message in-person to the bishops. Please call your bishop today to let him know the Catholics of his diocese support him in challenging Bishop Bruskewitz at the bishops' November meeting.

Five years after the massive revelations of sexual abuse, there is no excuse for a bishop to be allowed to put children at risk. Please call your bishops right now and tell him to hold Bishop Bruskewitz accountable to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

In 1996, the bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska attempted to excommunicate the members of CTA in his diocese simply because they had decided to begin a CTA chapter and organize for justice. The bishop of Lincoln is the only one in the United States who refuses to allow girls to be altar servers and the only one who refuses to comply with the USCCB's request to turn over files of pedophile priests. Now, 11 years later, the members have received word from the Vatican regarding their appeal. Contrary to what Bishop Bruskewitz has been claiming, it turns out that the Vatican has not endorsed the attempted excommunication.

Although the Vatican does not endorse the unjust actions of Bishop Bruskewitz, there is still work to be done. Our members in Lincoln remain steadfast in their faith and their work for justice in their diocese. CTA members continue to pray and organize to protect the children of their diocese, to promote equality for women and men, and to pursue a more just religious community - following the model of Christ.

In June, CTA Nebraska members were scheduled to present more than 1,000 letters from Catholics across the country demanding that Bishop Bruskewitz comply with a national audit for the protection of children from sexual abuse. The diocese threatened to arrest the CTA members. In response, members held a peaceful press conference to notify the public that Bishop Bruskewitz was still refusing to be audited. When refused access to the diocesan chancery, CTA members said they would mail the petition letters instead. Click here to watch the courageous press conference.

To send a note of support or to join their local efforts, contact Rachel Pokora at 402-465-8662, or PokoraRachel@yahoo.com.