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	Deciding on Limitations The Associated Press, carried in Colorado Daily News [Denver CO] May 7, 2006 http://www.coloradodaily.com/articles/2006/05/07/news/beyond_boulder/news1.txt Even if the Legislature fails to act to aid victims of sex abuse by clergy, victims' lawyers say their lawsuits will proceed. Some victims are blaming the Roman Catholic Church for lobbying against legislation to extend the statute of limitations for sex-abuse victims. "The lawsuits against the Catholic Church will go forward, with or without the legislation," lawyer Adam Horowitz of Miami told The Denver Post. Twenty-four lawsuits have already been filed. "The existing lawsuits were brought before this legislation came about," said Jeff Anderson, a St. Paul, Minn., attorney who has sued dioceses across the country, including in Colorado. "This failure by public-policy makers will have no impact on the lawsuits. There are arguments around the statute of limitations we have right now." It could be the final day of the session before the fate of a bill that would give childhood victims of sexual assault unlimited time to sue will be decided. Some legislators hope to end the session Monday. "I want to say to the legislators that the pedophiles out there are cheering in your favor. They're saying, 'I'm home free,'" said Brandon Trask, 49, who sued claiming former priest Harold White repeatedly molested him in Minturn and in the Glenwood Springs baths during the 1970s. "(Archbishop Charles) Chaput has spent more money defending his pedophiles. Money talks, and the little ones walk." Jeanette DeMelo, Denver Archdiocese spokeswoman, declined to comment until a final decision is made. Tim Dore, executive director of Colorado Catholic Conference and one of the church's principal lobbyists, responded, "We have been clear and open about our concerns with this unfair legislation and will continue to do so, so long as it unfairly targets the Catholic Church. We respect any organization's or citizen's right to participate in the democratic process. We expect the same in return."
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