Archdiocese announces settlement of 18 claims
July 1, 2008 - Following three years of litigation, Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput announced the settlement of 16 more lawsuits and two additional claims against the Archdiocese of Denver. To read Archbishop Chaput's statement, click here.
Mediation Offer 2006
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
Jan. 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 commentary (5/24/06)
- Honorable Richard Dana commentary (5/24/06)
- Outreach Program Fact Sheet
- Background on sexual abuse misconduct policy and victims’ assistance for the Archdiocese of Denver
- Short biographies and overview of JAG
Archbishop Chaput’s reflections
NOTE: 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
Dec. 6, 2006 - 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 - The June 2 edition of the National Catholic Reporter i — 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
Victims of sexual abuse and the Church both need our daily prayers
May 10, 2006 - 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:
NOTE: 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 its original contex, thus guarding against misinterpretation.
Four settle diocese suits over abuse by priests
Nov. 14, 2006 (Denver Post)
Settlements reached in church sex abuse cases
Nov. 14, 2006 (Rocky Mountain News)
Church could be near deal
Nov. 4, 2006 (Rocky Mountain News) - Pending sex-abuse settlements are said to be in the 6-figure range.
Church, plaintiffs settle up
Nov. 2, 2006 (Denver Post) - Up to a third of the abuse cases are being resolved.
Archdiocese settles some suits alleging sex abuse
Nov. 2, 2006 (Rocky Mountain News)
Mediator hopeful about settling clergy sex-abuse suits
Aug. 24, 2006 (Denver Post) - Retired Judge Richard Dana said it's not unusual for plaintiffs and defendants to start far apart on the "reasonable value" of a case.
Money reportedly sinks talks on sex-abuse suits
Aug. 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
May 25, 2006 (Rocky Mountain News) - Chaput hires firm to seek settlements in alleged abuse cases.
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