July 28, 2004

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

Archdiocese believes lawsuit without merit

The Archdiocese of Portland intends to vigorously defend a lawsuit filed by Lee Inkman and Trish Wilson related to the denial of admission of their child to O’Hara Catholic School. O’Hara Catholic School and the Archdiocese of Portland do not discuss publicly details concerning school admission of any particular child. However, it is believed that this situation was handled appropriately. The lawsuit filed includes numerous false statements of fact, and is believed to be totally without merit.

The lawsuit, which seeks up to $550,000 in damages, names: O’Hara Catholic School, Father Mark Bachmeier, Pastor of St. Mary Church, Dianne Bert, Principal at O’Hara Catholic School, the Archdiocese of Portland and St. Mary Parish in Eugene.

Father Mark Bachmeier is a well-respected priest and pastor at St. Mary Church. He was ordained in 1989. He served in two parishes as parochial vicar before being named Pastor at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Astoria in 1993. He was named Pastor of St. Mary Church in Eugene in 1999.

Dianne Bert has been Principal at O’Hara Catholic School since 2002. Under her leadership, O’Hara Catholic School has continued its long history of providing a sound Catholic education to students in the Eugene area. The enrollment for O’Hara has been growing in recent years, and will enroll the highest number of students in its history in the fall 2004.

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