Catholic Archdiocese of Denver settles majority of sex abuse claims for $5.5 million
Pastor Dale Morgan
Catholic Archdiocese of Denver settles majority of sex abuse claims for
$5.5 million*
Denver, Jul 1, 2008 / 12:53 pm (CNA).- Denver Archbishop Charles J.
Chaput announced today that the archdiocese has settled nearly all of
the claims of sexual abuse by priests through a mediation program,
resulting in payments of $5.5 million for 18 separate claims.
At a press conference held at Bonfils Hall on Tuesday morning,
Archbishop Chaput explained that all of the lawsuits against the
archdiocese were connected to the deceased priests Harold Robert White
and Leonard Abercrombie, with one exception. The alleged abuse by the
two clerics occurred between the years 1954 and 1981.
The claims of sexual abuse against the two priests began to be made in
August of 2005. Upon learning of the accusations, the archdiocese sought
to mediate the claims rather than resort to the courts.
The mediation process initiated by the archdiocese, which began in May
2006, was led by retired Judge Richard Dana, and also included an
independent mediation panel consisting of Littleton, Colorado Chief of
Police Heather Coogan and rehabilitation specialist Jack Dahlberg.
Participation by the abuse victims in the mediation program was
voluntary, but according to Archbishop Chaput, “the majority of cases
were resolved” through the process. The total amount paid by the
archdiocese was $5,505,000 to settle 18 separate claims. Following
today’s announcement, the Archdiocese of Denver now faces only two
lawsuits related to sexual abuse by priests.
Speaking about the mediation process on Tuesday morning, Archbishop
Chaput said, “It is my hope that these settlements help the victims and
their families to heal.”
He also explained his role in trying to bring healing to the victims,
“I’ve offered to meet personally with every victim. Some of them have
responded to this request. I’ve also met with some of their family
members who have been open to meet with me.”… “I wanted to apologize to
them personally on behalf of the Church and also to express my own
personal sadness over the pain in their lives and the pain of this
experience.”
When asked why the Church turned to mediation instead of going through
the court system, Archbishop Chaput said, “Litigation is fighting, it’s
legal combat in some sense, and we don’t think healing comes about very
well through litigation. We think meditation is a much better way to
bring healing, especially if we have the chance to sit down and talk.
Many of the victims did speak to me about their anger at the Church, at
me, certainly at the priests who were involved in it, and I had a chance
to apologize to them. I think that kind of human engagement is very
helpful towards healing and I hope it’s the beginning of a restored
relationship with the Church for those who wish that.”
The archbishop also revealed that the most recent settlements involved
the archdiocese taking the “unusual step” of opening portions of Robert
White’s file to his victims.
While he emphasized that the archdiocese has “always defended and will
continue to defend the right to privacy of all our archdiocesan
personnel,” Chaput said that he “took this step at the insistence of
victims and to secure closure for them.”
Among the facts revealed by the file are: “prior to 1981, White engaged
in wrongful behavior,” that decisions were made 25 years ago by
archdiocesan officials that would “not satisfy current archdiocesan
policies for handling allegations of sexual abuse” and finally, “after
1981, White’s file contains no evidence of abuse by him,” the archbishop
said.
Archbishop Chaput also described how the Church’s treatment of
allegations of sexual abuse has changed, saying, “White’s file, despite
its painful content, stands in sharp contrast to the life of our Church.
For the last 20 years, the archdiocese has worked hard to understand the
nature of sexual abuse, to prevent it and to protect our children from
it. Our strict policy is that no priest, deacon or lay employee with a
credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor is allowed to
minister in our archdiocese.”
The leader of the Catholic Church in Denver closed his statement on the
settlements by calling for continued support for the abuse victims.
“These past experiences of sexual abuse have been tragic for those
who've endured them and for the wider Church community. Victims need our
help and support for their continued healing. I'm grateful that they've
accepted mediation and I continue to pray they find peace in this
resolution.”