Desert Voices, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation, sponsors Send the Bishops a Message. 

Frank Douglas is the founder/president of Desert Voices and the national director of Send the Bishops a Message. Frank's e-mail address is  frankdouglas62@yahoo.com. 

Frank applies his 30 years of technical and management and experience in the aerospace and computer industries to his work in support of clergy sexual abuse victims/survivors. He founded and managed his own consulting business for 20 years. His firm, SOFTRAN, Inc., provided high-quality software quality assurance and marketing services to his client base of federal government contractors. Frank also publishes the Voice from the Desert blog, which educates the public about clergy sex abuse and cover up, advocates for the safety of children, and works for justice on behalf of abuse victims.

Frank is a member of the National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC) and a past member of the board of directors of the Survivors Network of Those Abuse by Priests (SNAP). He served on the Voice of the Faithful National Representative Council and the Council's Steering Committee; the lay board of advisers of a Jesuit retreat house; the administrative team for the Community of Light prayer group; and his parish's RENEW leadership team. A native of New York City, Frank was awarded a BS in mathematics from Iona College magna cum laude and an MS in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame.

A group of distinguished reform-minded citizens comprises the Send the Bishops a Message advisory board. 

Here are thumbnail sketches of board members.

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Therese Albrecht, Chicago area, IL.  Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Was sexually abused by a priest and a nun from the age of eight to eleven. Ex-New York City Police Officer, serving in the 32^nd precinct in Harlem. Returned to the Chicago area where she now lives. Found her “survivor’s voice” in 2008 with the help of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Currently a tireless SNAP leader and volunteer. Brings gifts of passion, fearlessness, and extensive knowledge of Scripture. 

David Biersmith, Kansas City, MO. Founder, owner, and president of a clinic that provides drug testing, gives pre-employment physicals, and treats workman’s compensation injuries. USMC retired. Marathoner runner. Past president of his parish’s Finance Committee (recently “fired” by the pastor because David launched an investigation into the way the cash was being handled). Father of two victims of sexual abuse by a priest. Member, National Representative Council, Voice of the Faithful. Member of SNAP. A graduate of Rockhurst College (Jesuit) with a major in math and physics. Did graduate work in physics at Kansas State University.

Debby Bodkin, Palmdale, CA. Raised in a traditional Catholic family. Mother of 4 children who attended Catholic schools and colleges. Worked as a legal secretary for 25 years. Married to a former Catholic high school teacher who understands the need to protect all children from danger, despite career consequences.  Member of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic School Commission and Director of the St. Edward's Sunday Liturgy Program. Soon after the clergy abuse crisis erupted in 2002, one of her daughters asked: "Mom, would you have believed one of us girls if we had told you Father …molested us back then?" Debby’s heart skipped a beat that day and her life path changed; remaining silent was no longer an option if precious children were to be safe in the future. After trying to find peace in understanding the how's and why's of the horrific sex abuse crisis and starting a Letter to the Editor writing campaign, Debby realized the serious tragedy of the clergy abuse crisis: Society, through denial, had failed to protect God's most precious gift to the world, our children -- all in the name of God and religious privilege.

George Bouchey, Mount Laurel, NJ. Brings almost 25 years of technical, marketing, and management experience with major corporations. His professional expertise, skills, and active participation in the Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) and private Church reform listserves will help in formulating pragmatic approaches to Catholic Church reform. A cradle Catholic.  Graduate of Catholic schools through college.  Active in Parish Council work. Served for many years as an Adult Advisor in Youth Ministry. Founding member of a diocesan racial justice commission. Active in religious/civil rights issues. Served in the USAF.  

Tom Byrne, Shaker Heights, OH. 17 years as a manager in aerospace manufacturing companies for Department of Defense applications. 28 years of engineering and management experience in a consulting firm, bringing the metrics of efficiency and productivity to hospital and university/college markets.  A member of Voice of the Faithful and a strong supporter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Has recently attended classes at CWRU and John Carroll University.   

Sam Cordova, San Fernando, CA. Born 78 years ago in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into a Cordova family who had been Roman Catholics for hundreds of years. Joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and saw combat in Korea against the Chinese and North Koreans for 13 months. Stock broker for 40 years. Founder, CEO, and president of International Academy of Finance, now a holding company for a number of corporations.  Trained brokers for the New York Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actively involved parishioner at Saint Ferdinand’s church in San Fernando, CA, for 48 years.  Served in many capacities, including major donor and fund raiser, lector, usher, and member of Parish Council. Author of The Altar and the Crown, which documents evils perpetrated by many clergy, bishops, and Pope John Paul II. Sam possesses a BS in Law from the University of Denver Law School. 

Thomas P. Doyle, Vienna, VA. Ordained a priest in the Dominican Order in 1970.  A Canon lawyer since 1978.  Served for 19 years as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force.  A certified addictions therapist. Directly involved in the clergy sexual abuse issue since 1984.  Involvement includes pastoral/spiritual support for victims and their families, canonical advocacy, consultant and expert witness in civil and criminal litigations, writer, and lecturer. Considerable experience assisting persons harmed by the institutional Church in ways other than sexual abuse.  A Hospice volunteer for many years. Awarded a doctorate in Canon Law and Master’s degrees in philosophy, theology, Church administration, Canon Law and Political Science.  Also a graduate of the Navy School of Health Sciences in addictions counseling. A certified divemaster and a licensed commercial pilot. Has two cats named Arnold and Charlie.

Lorraine Ferrick, Tucson, AZ.  Has three main passions: the Lord, children, and ballroom dancing. Substitute teaches special-needs children. In Indiana, founded the Missionettes, a young girls’ missionary organization. In Germany, attended the University of Maryland branch and founded and organized the United States Army Construction Agency Wives’ Club.  In Maryland, was president of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Ballroom Dance Club. Brings a God-centered, Bible-based worldview to issues and problems. Mother of 3, grandmother of 7, and great-grandmother of 2. Bakes to-die-for cinnamon rolls and banana bread. Favorite dance is the tango.

Edward Friedl, Canton, OH.  16 years as a registered professional land surveyor, 4 years in homebuilding, and 30 years as a heavy highway construction estimator. Served 6 years on his parish council, 12 years on finance council, and 5 years on parish school finance committee. Also served as cantor, Eucharistic minister, and catechist. Spent 6 years in a seminary and one year in Gethsemane Trappist monastery under Novice Master Thomas Merton (Father Louis). Graduated from the University of Akron, OH, with a BA in liberal arts and Spanish. One year of law school. 

Goodnow, Lenexa, KS.  Very active on the Internet in support of survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Passionate about the protection of children in all walks of life. Survivor of priest abuse, since 1953. Recently part of a settlement resolved among 47 clergy sex abuse victims in the Institutional diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. A wife of 45 years, mother of 3, and grandmother of 8.

Peter Isely, Milwaukee, WI.  Midwest director of SNAP. Emeritus Board Chair of SNAP. Demonstrates a strong and vital leadership voice to the clergy sex abuse survivor movement. Offers proven experience dealing with the media and members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Recently was SNAP’s principal media spokesperson in Europe.  Psychotherapist whose practice includes clients who were sexually abused by clergy as children. Possesses a master’s degree from the Harvard School of Divinity. In 2008, wrote, “We're way beyond the point at which an apology, a nice gesture, a few soothing words, and vague promises will be meaningful. None of these safeguard kids. Action protects kids."

Jim Jenkins, Ph.D., Kensington, CA.  Married 1993 to Ellen Morrissey, M.D.  Two children:  Ben (13) and Matt (11).  Raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC.  Licensed clinical psychologist in private practice; psychotherapist for 30 years; member of the medical staff, Doctors Medical Center, San Pablo, CA.  Specializes in narrative approaches in therapy; at-risk children; trauma and PTSD; health psychology.  Previously, a classroom teacher, high school counselor, and hospital administrator.  Attends Newman Hall, UC Berkeley.  Chaired San Francisco Archdiocesan Review Board investigating allegations of clergy sexual abuse of children (2001-4).  Participated in Voice of the Faithful, National Representative Council (2002-present).  Avocation: an aspiring fiction writer.

Lisa Kendzior, Southlake, TX.  24 years of marketing and advertising experience in various industries with both advertising agency and client-side firms. Dallas/Ft. Worth SNAP Leader, founding member of the National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC), and formerly a member of the National Representative Council of Voice of the Faithful. Has a BS in Marketing/Communications from Bradley University. 

Vincent J. Nauheimer, Croton, NY. 4 years in US Navy. 25 years in sales and marketing. Owned local computer business. Former volunteer Custody/Visitation Mediator and New York State Lemon Law arbitrator. Currently teaching children with autism in the New York City school system. Father of two victims of clergy abuse; priest was defrocked. Children's advocate and longtime online member of various survivor groups. Writer and artist whose artwork, essays, letters, and poetry on clergy abuse can be found on websites on three continents. Published two books on clergy abuse; one of poems: "Silent Screams;" and the other "Epistles on Clergy Abuse," a compilation of letters written over an 8-year period.  BBA, Management, Iona College; MS in Education, Mercy College; Post-Graduate certificate: Autism and Severe Disabilities, Pace University.

Linda S. Pieczynski, Hinsdale, IL. 31 years as an attorney. Established her law firm in Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1984, after serving as an assistant state's attorney in DuPage County, Illinois, for over 7 years. Taught classes on child abuse and neglect at the master's level for National Louis University for 10 years after leaving the prosecutor's office. Joined the Call to Action (CTA) Board in 1992 and served as its national president from 1994 to 2000. Authored an article, later turned in a brochure, Keeping Our Kids Safe, for Church magazine. Currently serves on the Board of Dignity USA. 

Dick Regan, Hammondsport, NY.   3 years active duty and 3 years reserves, U.S. Marine Corps. 15 years of service with New York Police Department; retired as detective. Was a triathlete and produced triathlons for television.  Survivor of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest.  Works as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse throughout New York State. Favorite quote: “Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.”

Bob Schwiderski, Wayzata area of the Twin Cities, MN.   Father of 4 children raised in the Catholic faith. Second oldest of ten Catholic baptized brothers and sisters. 3 years of active duty in U.S. Army with 2 years of service overseas in combat assignments. Very successful public economic development career with significant accomplishments in industrial, commercial, and residential revitalization and expansion projects throughout Minnesota . Outspoken advocate for the recovery from and prevention of sexual abuse. Clergy sexual abuse victim of multiple rapes as a prepubescent child. Well known within the survivor advocacy community for not being limited by state or national borders for the cause of recovery and prevention of all sexual abuse. Motto:  “I will be silent no more – forever.” 

Sephen A. Sheehan, Boston, MA.  15+ years as a career military officer, United States Army. 30 years sales and marketing experience in oriental rugs, publishing, and publishing technology. Member of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) National Representative Council and Survivor Support Working Group. Publisher, VOTF News. Member of SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests),  NAPSAC (National Association for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children), and Call To Action. BS from Boston College in History and Government.

John Shuster, Port Orchard, WA.  A married Roman Catholic priest who recently retired as a sales representative for a major global, broad-based health care company. Provides spiritual guidance and sacramental ministry to individuals and families on evenings and weekends. Ordained in 1979 to serve as a priest in the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), a Roman Catholic missionary order. Graduated from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago in 1980 with a Masters of Divinity with specialization in cross-cultural ministry. During 4 years as a celibate priest, served in Mexico , and at parishes in East Los Angeles and South Central Los Angeles. Transitioned to married priesthood due to pressures of sexual politics in the institutional priesthood.  Serves as Vice President of Celibacy Is The Issue (C.I.T.I.) whose Rent A Priest program puts people in touch with married priests. Board member of the Survivors Network of Those Abuse by Priests (SNAP). Interviewed about the married priesthood by Mike Wallace on the CBS 60 Minutes program.

Rick Springer, Chicago, IL. Rick is the leader of the survivor community in Chicago. Rick's short bio will appear here soon.

Michael J. Sweatt, Portland, ME, and N. Kingstown, RI.  Following a 10-year career in management in a clinical laboratory, has held various positions in sales and marketing management in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and environmental sciences markets. A life-long Catholic, has participated, for over 40 years, in several ministries and committees, commissions, and boards at the parish level.  Has chaired both Parish Pastoral Councils and Parish Finance Councils and has conducted parish retreats for lay leadership. One of the co-founders of Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) in Maine and formed the Maine VOTF Council.  Currently a member of VOTF in Maine. Founding member of the National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC).

Kristine Ward, Dayton, OH. Professionally engaged in the employee benefits field working with both public and private clients. Background in print and broadcast journalism and adult literacy. Freelance journalism credits include coverage of the most recent papal election through print, television, and Web-based news outlets. Founding member and current chair of the National Survivor Advocates Coalition (NSAC). Catholic parish involvement includes service on parish and finance councils, liturgy, worship, bereavement committees, St. Vincent de Paul, and as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and leader of Communion services. Currently chairs the board of the House of the People in Dayton, Ohio, a shelter for Rwandan refugees.

Lena Woltering, Belleville, IL, and Fort Wayne, IN. Active in church reform and social justice work for many years.  Served on the National Board of Call To Action (CTA) for 11 years and was Coordinator of Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity (FOSIL), a local CTA affiliate, from 1993 to 2003. Served on the State Board of the Illinois Death Penalty Moratorium Project, which was successful in persuading state leaders to halt executions while the entire capital-punishment process in Illinois is examined.  Also worked in prison ministry with the Missouri Group Residents Encounter Christ and served on the board of Seeds of Hope, a ministry advocating for people with disabilities. Currently does local chapter organizing for Call To Action and travels the country helping folks organize local lay synods.  As that movement picks up, she hopes that a National Lay Synod for all of the People of God can be convened in a few years. A native of Southern Illinois, Lena currently divides her time between Belleville and Fort Wayne, where her husband is currently employed.