February 26, 2004
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
National reports on sexual abuse by clergy released
Archbishop John G. Vlazny recently issued a letter, which included data
on
sexual misconduct by priests in the Archdiocese
of Portland from 1950 to 2003. Today,
the National Review Board for the Protection
of Children and Young People, established
by the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, released two reports on the
problem of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy
nationally. The John Jay College of
Criminal Justice produced The Nature and
Scope of the Problem of Sexual Abuse of
Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons
in the United States. The second report
was developed by the National Review Board,
A Report on the Crisis in the Catholic
Church in the United States.
The John Jay study is a quantitative analysis of the sexual abuse of minors
by
Catholic clergy from 1950 to 2002. The
Archdiocese of Portland participated in this
study, as did 98% of all dioceses in the
U.S. The study was requested by the Bishops'
Conference to help the Church do a better
job of protecting children and young people.
This in-depth study has no counterpart
in any other organization or profession.
The results of the John Jay study showed that 4,392 priests were named
in
allegations of sexual abuse in the 52
years covered by the research. Nationally there
were 109,694 priests who served in ecclesiastical
ministry in that time frame. The study
reported, "the total cost paid by the
church exceeds $500 million" in compensation to
victims.
The Archdiocese of Portland reported that, from 1950 through 2003, 37 priests
(diocesan, religious order and extern)
were accused of sexual misconduct with a minor,
while working in an Archdiocesan ministry
assignment. There were 1150 priests and 44
deacons who served in Archdiocesan ministries
in that 53-year period. One hundred
and eighty-one persons made allegations
against 37 priests. Forty of those allegations
were against religious order and extern
priests, leaving 141 allegations against
diocesan priests. The Archdiocese has
resolved 111 claims of the 141 allegations
against diocesan priests. The Archdiocese
reported the total cost of settlements thus
far was $53 million. Of this amount, almost
$48 million was paid on the 111 allegations
against diocesan clergy, and $5 million
was paid to settle allegations against religious
order or extern priests with an Archdiocesan
ministry assignment.
The National Review Board study is a qualitative report based on interviews
with
60 individuals, including bishops. The
purpose of the Report was "to share the Review
Board's findings and recommendations based
upon its evaluation of the current crisis.
The recommendations include "enhanced
screening, formation and oversight of
candidates for the priesthood; for increased
sensitivity in responding to allegations of
abuse; for greater accountability of bishops
and Church leaders; for improved
interaction with civil authorities; and
for greater participation by the laity in the life of the
Church."
In his letter to Catholic in Western Oregon Archbishop Vlazny stated, "I
assure
you once more of my commitment: to promote
healing and reconciliation with the
victims of child sexual abuse; to effectively
respond to allegations of sexual abuse of
minors by Archdiocesan personnel; to ensure
compliance with the procedures we
bishops adopted in the Charter; and to
protect the faithful in the future."
The Archdiocese of Portland participated in an audit by the National Review
Board in September 2003. In January the
Board reported that the Archdiocese is in full
compliance with the Charter for the Protection
of Children and Young People.
Information on that audit are available
on the Archdiocesan web site:
www.archdpdx.orgcpo/charter-audit03.html.
Archbishop Vlazny's
letter about local data from 1950 – 2003
is found on the web page:
www.archdpdx.org/cpo/stats-report.html.
The John Jay study and the
National Review Board Report are available
on the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops web site: www.usccb.org.
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