STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
Status: Coloradan's win as HB 1090 dies
The 2006 legislative session ended May 15 without a final decision on HB 1090, essentially killing the bill. Archbishop Charles Chaput commented on the end of the legislative session in the May 10, 2006 Denver Catholic Register:
"Whatever success the Catholic community achieves in defeating this sort of bad legislation, the main credit belongs to Catholic believers who spoke up for their families, parishes and diocese." His column outlines the Church's work to prevent the evil of sex abuse, the archdiocese's offer to provide healing and support to victims, and the need to insist upon fair and equal legislation that protects all children in the future. To read the Archbishop's May 10, 2006 column, click here.
To join the Colorado Catholic Conference’s TAKE ACTION initiative, please click here.
HB 06-1088: SUPPORT
HB 06-1090: OPPOSE
SB 06-143: OPPOSE
Important reflections on statutes of limitations
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
As Catholics, we can draw some key lessons from 2006 Assembly Session (5.10.06) published by Denver Catholic Register
HB 1090 made worse by Senate actions (5.3.06) published by Denver Catholic Register
“Suing the Church” (5.1.06) published by First Things
“Chaput Interview: Church in Colorado seeks fair treatment under law” (3.5.06) published by Our Sunday Visitor
Statement by Archbishop Chaput on statutes of limitation
Archbishop’s Letter to Parishioners (2.5.06)
Colorado Catholic Church & Colorado Catholic Conference (CCC)
“Battle over controversial statute of limitations bills continues” (4.19.06) by Denver Catholic Register Staff
“Despite bishops’ efforts, just, reasonable statute of limitations reform not happening in 2006 General Assembly” (4.5.06) by Chris Rose of CCC
“Society-wide problem of child sex abuse demands fair, equal statute of limitations reform” (3.8.06) by Chris Rose of CCC
Colorado bishops express support for HB 1088 (3.3.06)
“Sexual abuse: a full, fair understanding” (2.22.06) by Denver Catholic Register Staff
Colorado bishops urge Catholics to demand end to unequal treatment of sexual abuse violations (2.1.06)
Other reflections
Sex-abuse measure fails fairness test (5.1.06) Rocky Mountain News
“An open letter to Colorado state lawmakers” (4.25.06), published by Denver Catholic Register
“California law yields chaos, injustice, and undue burden on Catholics in Diocese of San Diego” (3.15.06) by California defense attorney Michael Webb, Denver Catholic Register
Letter by Faith Bible Chapel (3.13.06)
Letter by Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver (2.2.06)
“SPEAKOUT: Public schools given too many protections in sex abuse cases” (1.21.06) by Suann Malone Maier, Rocky Mountain News
“Enough is enough: It’s time for Catholics to wake up and demand fairness” (1.26.06) by Greg Erlandson, Our Sunday Visitor publisher and president
HB 06-1088: SUPPORT, PASSED
Read a summary of this bill
Colorado bishops express support for HB 1088 (3.3.06)
HB 06-1090: OPPOSE – www.NOon1090.org
Read a summary of this bill
Clarification of bill sponsor’s Letter to the Editor of the National Catholic Reporter (NCR):
Rep. Gwyn Green, sponsor of the failed HB 1090 bill in the 2006 legislative session, subsequently challenged elements of the NCR coverage in a June 16, 2006 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 the following letter to the NCR.
Click here to read (pdf)
SB 06-143: OPPOSE
Read a summary of this bill
“Catholic press systematically shut-out of state senate meeting with Bishop” (4.21.06) by Catholic News Agency
Archdiocese responds to Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald’s misinformation
“Public-school abuse-victims advocacy group president urges serious SB 143 revision” (2.22.06) published by Denver Catholic Register
“February 13th Senate committee hearing on SB 143 turns heated” (2.22.06) published by Denver Catholic Register
