Denver, Colo., Jan 31, 2006 / 22:00 pm
In this week’s Denver Catholic Register (February 1), Colorado’s bishops urge Catholics across the state to demand an end to the unequal treatment of sexual abuse violations under Colorado law. “For the sake of justice and common sense – and for the sake of their own children – Catholics need to demand from Colorado lawmakers an end to our state’s legal inequities in dealing with childhood sexual abuse,” they write.
"On a matter as ugly and grave as the sexual abuse of minors, exactly the same civil and criminal penalties, financial damages, time frames for litigation and statutes of limitations should apply against both public and private institutions and their agents," the statement said issued Monday said.
It was signed by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo.
Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald and House Majority Leader Alice Madden introduced their measure Friday making it easier for victims to sue the church and other private groups by extending the statute of limitations in cases in which an institution or another person could be held "vicariously liable" for a perpetrator's acts.