Bishops say bills to lift limit on abuse cases create unequal justice

Published: 2006-02-08

DENVER (CNS) -- Colorado's bishops have urged defeat of three bills before the state Legislature that would modify or eliminate the statute of limitations on civil suits and criminal actions in child sex abuse cases against Catholic and other private institutions but not public schools. The measures create "two unequal kinds of justice," said the bishops in an open letter to Catholics. The letter said that misconduct against minors is more serious in public schools than anywhere else, including churches. Dated Jan. 30, it was signed by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver, Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya of Pueblo and Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs. The Web site of the Colorado Catholic Conference asks Catholics to contact their elected state representatives and urge them to vote against the bills.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .