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Topic: Child & Youth Protection

*NOTE: In addition to these writings authored by Archbishop Chaput's, the Office of Communications maintains a complete Backgrounders Page on all locally published materials regarding archdiocesan efforts towards Child & Youth Protection. For more information, please visit our Statute of Limitation Backgrounder Page and our Mediation Offer Backgrounder Page, or our Newsroom

Statement on Father Mel Thompson’s restoration to priestly service and retirement
Jan. 3, 2010 - In April of 2010, Archbishop Charles Chaput removed the priestly faculties of Father Mel Thompson, placed him on administrative leave and made the necessary report to civil authorities. After seven months of intense investigation, the Archdiocese of Denver's Conduct Response Team has have unanimously concluded that the allegation against Father Thompson is not supported by the evidence they reviewed. [read more]

Archbishop exonerates priest after charges proven false
July 13, 2010 - Archbishop Chaput issued a statement regarding a false charge of sexual abuse against a deceased priest. After litigation and discovery, the plaintiff's complaint was determined not credible and the charges against the priest were proven groundless. Read the Archbishop's statement for more information.

Swift action painful but necessary in abuse allegation
April 14, 2010 (Denver Catholic Register)

Statement by Archbishop Chaput on the settlement of 18 claims
July 2, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

Statement regarding 2nd conviction of former pastor
April 9, 2007

Statement on conviction of former pastor, Timothy Evans
March 26, 2007

Institutions entrusted with care of children must work to protect them
Archdiocese ready to help all seeking to prevent sexual abuse of minors
March 14, 2007
Denver Catholic Register

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.

The False Promise of 'Window' Legislation
Oct. 9, 2006
America: The National Catholic Weekly
Archbishop Chaput responds to a column submitted by Professor Marci A. Hamilton in the September 25, 2006 issue of America. In her column, Hamilton renewed the call for "window" legislation. Window legislation - like the state law currently in effect in California and a similar proposal that died in the Colorado Assembly in 2006 - retroactively suspends the civil statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Window legislation typically allows damage claims to be filed for alleged abuse that occurred up to 70 years ago. Hamilton, who has worked closely with plaintiffs' attorneys in the past, argued that window legislation is not about targeting Catholic institutions but protecting children. This is not true. Archbishop Chaput argues why. To read the California bishops' letter to America magazine, click here.

As Catholics, we can draw some key lessons from 2006 Assembly session
May 10, 2006
Denver Catholic Register

HB 1090 made worse by Senate actions
May 3, 2006
Denver Catholic Register

HB 1088, HB 1090, SB 143 bills are bad public policy, bad law
February 8, 2006
Denver Catholic Register

Archbishop outlines history of archdiocesan sexual misconduct policy
August 1, 2005

Archbishop lays out principles for responding to sexual abuse allegations
July 26, 2005

Commitment to protection of children continues in local, national Church
June 22, 2005
Denver Catholic Register

Denver bishops' release letter regarding "John Jay Study" and local impact
February 25, 2004
Archbishop Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Gomez review the information submitted by the Archdiocese of Denver for inclusion in the John Jay Study

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Auxiliary Bishop Jose H. Gomez comment on "Charter" audit report
January 6, 2004
The Archdiocese of Denver was found to be in full compliance with the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and received three commendations from the audit-team investigators.

Letter to the faithful regarding the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People"
January 4, 2004

Archdiocese dedicated to protecting children, young people from abuse
Comprehensive training program to help identify, prevent and report sexual abuse Denver
December 17, 2003
Catholic Register

Bishops committed to charter goals
A year after charter approved, dioceses working to implement it fully
July 2, 2003
Denver Catholic Register

Revised norms protect vulnerable
Church's commitment to providing safe environment for families unchanged
November 20, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Abuse policy
October 23, 2002
Archbishop Chaput expresses appreciation for Vatican involvement in misconduct policy revisions

'Repair my Church'
Work of saints needed to heal effects of Church sex abuse scandal
June 26, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Zero tolerance
Bishops charter on sexual abuse is a good, strong document
June 19, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Mother of offender, victim comments
Bishops must take swift, serious action
June 19, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

A victim's plea to bishops
Archbishop asks Catholics to read letter from abuse victim
June 12, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Letter to the Catholic faithful regarding sex abuse
May 1, 2002
Local bishops and USCCB president address the sex-abuse scandal

Sex abuse scandal reminds us that sin is real within, outside of Church
March 23, 2002
Homily, Palm Sunday
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Denver, CO

Input requested for meeting on abuse scandal
U.S. bishops release drafts of sexual misconduct policies, propose national day of prayer
June 5, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Archbishop's Palm Sunday message on abuse scandal
In letter read at each parish, Archbishop apologizes for Church's mistakes in past, assures proactive stance today
March 27, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

U.S. cardinals address scandal
April 24, 2002
Archbishop Chaput comments on the meeting of U.S. cardinals at the Vatican to address the clergy sex-abuse scandal

Archbishop outlines sexual misconduct policy
Denver guidelines created in 1991
March 20, 2002
Denver Catholic Register

Local Church remains committed to helping victims heal, protecting children
May 21, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

Pope reminds Church to meet abuse crisis challenges with honesty, humility
April 23, 2008
Denver Catholic Register

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