COLORADO
Rocky Mountain News
By Gwen Florio, Rocky Mountain News
September 22, 2005
A Littleton woman questioning a Catholic youth program at her church said Wednesday that Archbishop Charles Chaput and other church officials have agreed to discuss the matter with her.
But Francis Maier, chancellor for the archdiocese, refused to confirm that meeting, saying the issue is private.
Jo Wessels, a former counselor with Jefferson County Public Schools, said she's troubled by sexual-misconduct investigations into leaders at Life Teen Inc., an Arizona-based youth program that was launched Sunday at Light of the World parish in Littleton, where Wessels is a longtime member.
A letter distributed in Light of the World's church bulletin on Sunday explained that concerns had been raised about the program.
That letter, from Light of the World pastor Rev. Michael Pavlakovich, did not detail the nature of the allegations, stressing only that Life Teen founder Monsignor Dale Fushek and President Phil Baniewicz, are innocent until found otherwise.
Both Fushek and Baniewicz are based in Mesa, Ariz., where Life Teen has its headquarters.