No Federal Court Jurisdiction In Priest Abuse Case

In Doe v. Archdiocese of Denver, (Feb. 7, 2006), the Colorado federal district court refused to find a federal question supporting federal court jurisdiction present in a child sexual abuse claim against a priest and the Archdiocese. It held that the claims of negligent supervision and retention, vicarious liability, and fraud against the Archdiocese, and claims against the priest for breach of fiduciary duty and civil conspiracy do not raise free exercise or establishment clause problems.