February 4, 2002

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

ARCHDIOCESE ISSUES POLICY ON CHILD ABUSE

        Archbishop John G. Vlazny has formally issued the Child Abuse Policy of the
Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. This written statement of the Archdiocese's policies,
procedures and practices declares emphatically that "child abuse of any kind is never to
be tolerated." In issuing this policy, Archbishop Vlazny stated: "The painful experience
of dealing with allegations of abuse by priests of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
has strengthened my determination to take every necessary step to protect the children
entrusted to our care."

        The provisions of the settlement in the Grammond abuse cases established a
task force to review the Archdiocese's policies, practices and procedures relevant to
child abuse and to make recommendations to the Archbishop. The task force included
two men who were plaintiffs in the Grammond cases.

        The Archdiocese's Child Abuse Policy continues various procedures and practices
currently in effect. Other aspects of the policy are new or expand current practice.
Archbishop Vlazny assured that: "The safety of children is not a new priority for the
Church in Western Oregon. Since 1992, the Archdiocese has followed the Five
Principles for responding to sexual abuse issued by the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops. Even before this, various screening, reporting and other
administrative policies were in place in the Archdiocese to prevent child abuse and
respond to it."

        The Five Principles remain the foundation and an essential part of the Archdiocese's
Child Abuse Policy. Those principles are:

1. Respond promptly to all allegations of abuse where there is reasonable belief
that abuse has occurred;

2. If such an allegation is supported by sufficient evidence, relieve the alleged
offender promptly of ministerial duties and make a referral for appropriate
medical evaluation and intervention;

3. Comply with obligations of civil law to report the incident and cooperate with any
investigation by civil authorities;

4. Reach out to victims and their families and communicate sincere commitment to
their spiritual and emotional well-being; and

5. Within the confines of respect for privacy of the individuals involved, deal as
openly as possible with the members of the community.

        Other aspects of the Archdiocesan policy address education and the prevention
of child abuse. These procedures include:
a) Screening. Archdiocesan personnel (including clerics, religious, lay
employees and volunteers) will be appropriately background checked to
ensure their suitability for working with children.

b) Education. All Archdiocesan personnel whose ministerial duties regularly
involve minors will be required to attend presentations or have other
training dealing with the recognition of and reporting requirements for
child abuse.

c) School Curriculum. Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the
Archdiocese will include in the curriculum of the elementary schools it
operates, a component teaching children about safe touch, appropriate
boundaries with adults, and other issues related to child physical and
sexual abuse.

        The policy encourages all church personnel to be attentive to signs of child
abuse. It emphasizes that some Church personnel (e.g., school personnel and clergy)
are mandatory reporters under Oregon law and must report suspected child abuse to
civil authorities. The policy statement clarifies and sets out the procedures by which
Archdiocesan personnel report child abuse. Archdiocesan policy intends to facilitate
compliance with the Oregon child abuse reporting statues.

        The Archdiocese of Portland has established a Child Abuse Contact Line and has
designated a Case Manager to deal exclusively with reports of sexual abuse of minors
by clergy or other church personnel in Western Oregon. The Case Manager will be
responsible for handling the intake and coordinating the internal investigation and
disposition of all reported complaints of suspected child abuse by Archdiocesan
personnel.

        The Child Abuse Policy will be distributed to all Archdiocesan personnel. It will
also be available to all interested parties. A brochure summary of the policy will be
available at all parishes of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Vlazny once again assured:
"the safety of all children entrusted to our care and the healing of abuse survivors
continue to be important Church priorities."
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