February 13, 2006

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Statement by the Archdiocese of Portland on the Tort Claimants Committee's Plan

        The Archdiocese of Portland has learned that an alternative plan of reorganization has been filed by the Tort Claimants Committee. The Tort Claimant Committee's plan provides for the possible sale of all parish churches and schools to pay claims without considering what effect that would have on the parishioners' rights to practice their religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.  The Archdiocese cannot support a plan that fails to take into account the needs of innocent parishioners, who have generously donated money, property, time and labor to build churches and schools in order to provide places of religious worship and for the education of their children.  The Archdiocese believes that a successful conclusion to this bankruptcy case must result in a plan that provides fair and reasonable compensation to victims of clergy abuse while at the same time allowing the Catholics of western Oregon to continue to practice their religion, to continue the good works of outreach to the poor, and to educate children, both non-Catholic and Catholic alike.

        Contrary to the Committee's plan, the Archdiocese of Portland has proposed a plan that it believes will provide more than necessary to pay reasonable compensation to all claimants, based upon the extensive history of resolved claims over the past several years. Unlike the Committee's plan, the Archdiocese's plan is not dependent on the Court having to determine what assets can be liquidated to pay claims and does not raise the significant First Amendment issues inherent in the Committee's plan.   Despite the obstacle of a competing plan filed by the Committee, the Archdiocese is committed to working in good faith with the Committee and all claimants toward the formulation of a consensual plan to resolve this Chapter 11 proceeding and bring healing and closure to all parties involved.