From Portland Archdiocese,
The Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon has released additional priest files and documents as a result of the Final Report of Document Arbitration from U. S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan. The documents are located at the web site: www.archdiocesedocuments.org. The documents released today are in addition to the nearly 2400 pages of documents voluntarily released earlier by the Archdiocese.
In April 2007, the Archdiocese agreed to a process for determining which documents should be made public. It included the Archdiocese and tort claimants presenting any disputes related to document disclosure to Judge Hogan for arbitration. The arbitration has concluded and the Archdiocese is now complying with Judge Hogan’s rulings.
The Archdiocese thanks Judge Hogan for arbitrating this challenging issue. Judge Hogan estimated that he reviewed “several thousand pages.” In April 2007, Archbishop John G. Vlazny stated that Archdiocese of Portland, “as part of the healing process and in the interests of transparency [would] be releasing relevant and appropriate documents, after a process that seeks a fair and just result for all concerned.” The release of the documents from arbitration is a continuation of that process.
Almost all of the incidents of sexual misconduct to which these documents refer relate to the period 1940 through the mid 1980s. Today the Archdiocese of Portland has comprehensive child protection policies and programs. It has an Office of Child Protection which coordinates safe environment education for employees, volunteers, parents and children. Parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese are implementing the nationally recognized Called to Protect safe environment program and ensuring that those who work with minors are appropriately screened. The Archdiocese has successfully passed four independent audits for full compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The commitment of the church in Western Oregon to the safety of children is and will remain a high priority.
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