May 1, 2002

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

Statement Concerning Lawsuit Naming Fr. Kenneth Jacques, OSB

        The Archdiocese of Portland has been named in a lawsuit alleging sexual
misconduct involving a minor by Benedictine Father Kenneth Jacques, OSB. At the time
of the alleged incident, 1978, Father Jacques was assigned to Mt. Angel High School
Seminary by his religious order, where he served 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 was placed on administrative leave by the Abbot of Mount Angel
Abbey in April of this year.

        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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