May 9, 2002

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

STATEMENT CONCERNING NEW ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TOM LAUGHLIN

        The Archdiocese of Portland has been informed of three new plaintiffs in a
lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct by the former Father Thomas Laughlin. Laughlin
pleaded guilty to two counts of abuse in 1983 and served jail time. He resigned from
the priesthood after pleading guilty to these charges. The new claims allege events in
Corvallis and Portland beginning in 1967. The Archdiocese will investigate the current
allegations and handle them in an appropriate manner.

        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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