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	Parish Starts Healing Process after Former Priest Convicted By Brian Willie 9News April 13, 2007 http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=68053 Fort Collins - Archbishop Charles Chaput spoke to parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on Thursday to open a dialogue about a former priest convicted of sexual abuse on a child. More than 200 people gathered in a meeting hall on Thursday to hear from representatives of the Archdiocese of Denver and voice their feelings and concerns. Jeanette DeMelo, director of communications for the archdiocese, asked a reporter to leave the meeting shortly after it began, saying it was a closed meeting. "We were really here to visit with the people," the archbishop said as he left the church. On March 26, Timothy Evans, a former priest at the parish, was convicted in Larimer County District Court of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual assault on a child with a pattern of abuse. The abuse apparently occurred early in his tenure at the parish. He was there from 1998-2002. On Tuesday, Evans was convicted in Jefferson County District Court for sexual assault by a person in a position of trust for abuse that occurred while serving at an Arvada parish. Parishioners leaving St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Thursday said many in attendance voiced support for the current pastor, the Rev. Lawrence Christensen, C.M., while some expressed frustration that more was not done by Christensen and the archdiocese to support the victims of the abuse. Two men who testified Evans had inappropriately touched them while a priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton attended the meeting. "There was a comment made that we are here to support the victims; but from talking with the victims, they have gotten a lot of support but it certainly didn't come from the church," said Erin Sullivan, 25, a friend of the two men. Sullivan's family has attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for 17 years. DeMelo said Christensen apologized to parishioners "if he came across as not being caring or compassionate to the victims." A statement from Chaput on Tuesday said the Archdiocese of Denver promptly reported the allegation of sexual abuse of a minor to law enforcement authorities and removed Evans from active ministry. Evans was later removed from the priesthood. "The efforts of the archdiocese were to respond to ensure the safety of the parishioners and to protect the rights of those who were involved," said Chaput. DeMelo said the purpose of the meeting was to begin the healing process and to talk to parishioners to get a better sense of how the archdiocese should proceed. Parishioner Gina Robinson said that whatever happens in the days ahead, her family will stay at the large Catholic parish of approximately 2,500 families. "That's how you heal," Robinson said. "My family is in full support of Father Larry." "God is the one who is going to do the healing. We just have to be open to it," said parishioner Bobbie Bonk. Contact: brian.willie@9news.com
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