On May 24, 2006, Archbishop Charles Chaput announced a voluntary, good-will mediation effort. The program is designed to address the needs of persons suing the Archdiocese of Denver since July 26, 2005 for past claims of clergy sexual abuse. The archbishop asked retired Judge Richard Dana to chair an independent, three-person panel to meet with interested claimants, assess their claims and offer an appropriate resolution. Judge Dana is the co-founder of Denver’s nationally respected Judicial Arbiters Group, Inc. (JAG). Joining Dana on the panel are Mr. Jack Dahlberg, a prominent rehabilitation specialist, and Chief Heather Coogan, a retired Denver Deputy Police Chief and now Chief of Security for the Auraria Higher Education Campus in Denver. Coogan is Catholic; Dana and Dahlberg are not.
Archbishop Chaput announces successful mediation of 15 settlements
January 5, 2007
In May of 2006, Archbishop Chaput announced a mediation program that he hoped would begin a healing process for individuals who filed lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Denver claiming childhood sexual abuse by two priests. In January 2007, Archbishop released the following statement, announcing that, of the 19 individuals who elected to participate in this mediation process, 15 had found sufficient comfort in this outreach program to settle their cases.
Click here to download audio from the May 24, 2006 press conference
May 24 press packet:
Archbishop Chaput’s reflections
*To read all writings by Archbishop Chaput regarding the Church’s involvement in child and youth protection, as well as legislative action regarding statute of limitations, please visit the Archbishop's Corner and review his "Writings by Topic"
Q&A with Archbishop Chaput on mediation process
December 6, 2006
Denver Catholic Register
In May of 2006, Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., announced a mediation effort to help resolve sexual abuse allegations from the past. At the time of this interview, a number of the cases had been successfully resolved. The archbishop sat down with the Denver Catholic Register to discuss the progress of the effort.
Writings submitted by the Catholic Church of Colorado & the Colorado Catholic Conference (CCC), official lobbying arm of the Catholic Church in Colorado:
Let’s keep things accurate: HB 1090 was bad then, and bad now
July 5, 2006
Denver Catholic Register
The June 2 edition of the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) — a publication rarely known for its sympathy for the “institutional” Church — carried a largely inaccurate news story on the 2006 Colorado civil statute of limitations fight. Rep. Gwen Green, sponsor of the failed HB 1090 bill in the 2006 legislative session, subsequently challenged elements of the NCR coverage in a June 16 letter to the editor. Unfortunately, Rep. Green’s letter only furthered the misinformation surrounding her flawed and controversial bill. Christopher Rose, former associate director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, responded with this letter to the NCR.
Archdiocese reaches out to plaintiffs with mediation
May 31, 2006
Denver Catholic Register
As Catholics, we can draw some key lessons from 2006 Assembly session
Victims of sexual abuse and the Church both need our daily prayers
May 10, 2006
Denver Catholic Register
Shortly before publicly announcing an organized mediation offer, Archbishop Chaput reflects upon the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, specifically within the Archdiocese of Denver, and offers clarification of various actions and statements by the secular media.
Articles published by secular media outlets:
*The Archdiocese of Denver always encourages the faithful to read the original version of all Catholic materials subsequently quoted by the secular media. Reading the original version ensures that the content is read in it’s original contex, therefore guarding against misinterpretation.
Four settle diocese suits over abuse by priests
November 14, 2006
Denver Post
Settlements reached in church sex abuse cases
November 14, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
Church could be near deal
Pending sex-abuse settlements said to be in 6-figure range
November 4, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
Church, plaintiffs settle up
Up to a third of abuse cases being resolved
November 2, 2006
Denver Post
Archdiocese settles some suits alleging sex abuse
November 2, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
Mediator hopeful about settling clergy sex-abuse suits
Retired Judge Richard Dana said it's not unusual for plaintiffs and defendants to start far apart on the "reasonable value" of a case.
August 24, 2006
Denver Post
Money reportedly sinks talks on sex-abuse suits
August 23, 2006
Denver Post
Molestation claims may be mediated
July 28, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
Survivor says abuse victims must decide
June 7, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
On Point: Chaput's clarifying action
May 26, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
Church ready to deal
May 25, 2006
Denver Post
Archbishop offers mediation process
Chaput hires firm to seek settlements in alleged abuse cases
May 25, 2006
Rocky Mountain News
