DENVER -- The Roman Catholic archbishop of Denver, Charles Chaput, on Wednesday offered mediation to more than than two dozen people who have filed lawsuits alleging they were sexually abused by priests.

Chaput along with a former Chief District Judge acted as one of three mediators for the alleged victims.

Chaput proposed to settle sexual abuse lawsuits filed against the church using a "significant" pool of money that has been set aside for settlements, but did not say how much money would be earmarked for the settlements.

"We want to speak to them (the accusers) ourselves, directly, and this is the best way to do that," Chaput said.

Attoneys for the accusers reacted cautiously. Adam Horwitz, who filed 19 cases against the archdiocese, said he would discuss the proposal with clients individually.

Tom Roberts, who filed other cases, said he wants more specifics about individual cases, including what action the church took regarding the priests accused in the lawsuits and how many complaints were filed.

"The problem that we have is that until we have some confidence that we're aware of the material facts of each individual case, we're not in a position to resolve them," Roberts said. "They're inviting us to talk to them in a vacuum."

A Miami lawyer representing the group, says that he will discuss the proposal with his clients on a case by case basis.

Settlements would not be limited to people who have filed lawsuits. Anyone with a claim would submit it to a three-member mediation panel headed by former Boulder District Judge Richard Dana.

The panel would have two months two offer a settlement, and the accusers could reject the offer, Dana said.