April 12, 2002

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

STATEMENT CONCERNING ARCHDIOCESE OF PORTLAND AND ST. MARY'S PARISH,
MT. ANGEL

        The Archdiocese of Portland has been named in a lawsuit alleging sexual
misconduct involving a minor by two Benedictine priests, Father Clement Frank and Father
Louis Charvet. The Archdiocese has no record of any prior complaint against either of these
men, by the plaintiff or anyone else.

        The incidents allegedly occurred 50 years ago. Dealing with a lawsuit involving things
which allegedly happened 50 years ago, particularly when a priest named is deceased,
presents great challenges to the legal system as well as to the Archdiocese of Portland, its
people and its leaders.

        In the early 1950s, at the time of the incidents alleged, Father Clement Frank served at
St. Mary's Parish, Mt. Angel, Oregon. Fr. Louis Charvet was assigned to Mt. Angel Seminary
by his religious order. Priests of religious orders who work at Mt. Angel Seminary are not
assigned to those positions by the Archdiocese of Portland.

        The Archdiocese of Portland deplores all forms of harm to human life and condemns the
abuse or intentional neglect of children. Archbishop Vlazny has encouraged those who
believe they were injured by Archdiocesan personnel to come to us, and we will do our best to
promote healing. The Archdiocese has a Child Abuse Contact Line that deals exclusively with
reports of sexual abuse of minors by church personnel (503-416-8810).
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