April 25, 2002

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

Statement on lawsuit naming Fr. Kenneth Jacques, OSB

         Archdiocese of Portland has been named in a lawsuit alleging sexual
misconduct involving a minor by Benedictine priest Father Kenneth Jacques. At the
time of the alleged incident, 1978, Father Jacques was assigned to Mt. Angel High
School Seminary by his religious order. He served at the seminary from 1975 – 1979.
Priests of religious orders who work at Mt. Angel Seminary are not assigned to those
positions by the Archdiocese of Portland.

        Father Jacques has been placed on administrative leave by the Abbot of Mount
Angel Abbey pending the outcome of this matter.

        Child abuse is contrary to all that the Catholic Church believes and professes
about the dignity of human persons. The Archdiocese of Portland deplores all forms of
harm to human life and condemns the abuse or intentional neglect of children. It is
never to be tolerated. The Archdiocese of Portland 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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