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Priest denies sexual abuse charges

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT COLLINS – The lawyer for a former Roman Catholic priest accused of sexual abuse said Thursday that the 43-year-old man denies the charges.Erik Fischer told The Denver Post that a man in his 20s brought the allegations against his client, the Rev. Timothy Joseph Evans.Evans was advised Wednesday in Larimer County Court of the felony counts against him, including two counts of sexual abuse on a child by a person in a position of trust, a pattern of abuse and contributing to a delinquency of a minor.It was not clear if he entered a plea at the hearing – few details are available about the case because the court file has been sealed and a gag order was issued. Evans is scheduled to appear in court next on Dec. 20.According to Fischer, the claims against Evans go back to 1998, the first year he served at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish, which has more than 2,000 members. Evans was removed from his position as pastor three years ago.Evans declined to comment on the case, saying only “I’d love to, but I can’t.”Fischer said his client was just trying to cope with the charges.”Any time there’s an allegation and it comes into the press, it’s a devastating thing,” he said. “He’s just trying to handle it the best he can.”Parishioners never were told why Evans was removed as pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Deacon Jim Devlin said.”Please, pray for Father Tim,” Devlin said. “And if there is a victim, pray for healing.”


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