Archdiocese Defends Priest Accused of Sex Assault

By Jeremy Jojola
9 News
July 8, 2013

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/344191/222/Archdiocese-defends-priest-accused-of-sex-assault-

[with video]

CARBONDALE - The Archdiocese of Denver continues to defend a priest accused of sexual assault while admitting he made "a mistake" during an encounter with a woman.

The woman, named "Jane Doe" in a lawsuit, accuses Father Jose Saenz of taking advantage of her while she was drunk and depressed over the death of a friend.

The lawsuit alleges the sexual assault occurred at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs in 2011.

"He manipulated the situation by telling her he needed to pray over her naked body," said the woman's attorney, Jeff Herman. "He would put holy water on her forehead and eventually manipulated a situation where he began to have sex with her."

The lawsuit alleges the woman was trying to seek help from the priest.

In a written statement sent out on July 3, the Archdiocese of Denver defended Father Saenz, saying it "disputes the plaintiff's allegations."

However, spokeswoman Karna Swanson appeared on KCNC after the statement was sent to media outlets and said Saenz made a "mistake." Swanson described the mistake as an "encounter" that occurred between "two consenting adults."

Swanson refused to speak with 9News on camera but said over the phone, "We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and we cooperate with authorities when needed."

The written statement from the Archdiocese of Denver also said law enforcement authorities "fully investigated the matter" and cleared Father Saenz of any criminal charges.

9Wants to Know could not find an agency that had any record of reviewing the case.

The Garfield County Sheriff's Department, the Glenwood Springs Police Department, the Carbondale Police department and the local district attorney all told 9Wants to Know they did not have a record of reviewing the case.

Harman's law firm said their client reported the case to Carbondale police, but the department's chief told 9Wants to Know it has no record of conducting any investigation or review involving Saenz.

Saenz has stepped away from his priestly duties indefinitely.

Contact: jeremy.jojola@9news.com