Archbishop’s remarks in Medford accept spiritual, but not financial, responsibility for abusive clergy

Portland Archbishop John G. Vlazny urged Medford parishioners Wednesday to take personal responsibility for the abusive priest scandal that has rocked the Roman Catholic Church in Oregon and beyond.

"We are the ones at this time and place who must deal with the negligence and sinfulness," Vlazny told the crowd of more than 150 gathered at Sacred Heart Church.

His remarks came during a special Ember Day service of fasting and reconciliation for abuse victims, the first Vlazny has held since the Archdiocese of Portland filed in July for bankruptcy protection against some 70 lawsuits demanding $340 million in claims.

Vlazny told church members to resist the impulse to ignore or deny the truth that, for years, many young girls and boys were sexually abused by members of the clergy. He acknowledged that church leaders failed to monitor or respond appropriately to the behavior.

"They were allowed to carry out their criminal behavior without adequate restraint or correction," Vlazny said.

Advertisement

Dressed in a tall white miter and purple vestments, carrying a golden staff, Vlazny apologized to all victims of child sexual abuse, including those abused by clergy or clergy personnel.

He vowed to change the culture of the church community.

"We are unwilling to accept that the way things were in the past is the way things will be in the future," Vlazny said.

His appearance focused on spiritual, not financial atonement, however. Vlazny said nothing of the archdiocese’s battle to limit damages for the sex-abuse plaintiffs.

Lawyers for the archdiocese, the plaintiffs and a group representing parishes quarreled Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to published reports.

Lawyers for the alleged victims contend that assets of all property registered to the archdiocese be made available for claims. Lawyers for the archdiocese and the parish group argued that the properties properly belong to the parishes and are held in trust by the archdiocese. The total amount of archdiocese property is about $400 million in real estate and more than $100 million in cash and investments, according to court records.

The archdiocese has claimed assets of $10 million in real estate and $9 million in cash and investments, however.

Archdiocese properties in Jackson County total nearly $6.9 million, court records show. That includes nearly $4.2 million in real estate charged to Sacred Heart Church alone.

Visitors to Wednesday’s service said they welcomed Valzny’s presence — and his remorse.

"I thought it was really nice that he made the trip down to Southern Oregon," said Melissa York, a young mother. "I’m sure there are victims here feeling the peace from this."

Organist Lionel Nightingale, who accompanies services every Sunday at Sacred Heart, said he liked Vlazny’s message.

"I thought it was to the point and what they should be doing," he said. "It’s the type of thing that shouldn’t go unnoticed."

He wasn’t as supportive of the archdiocese’s move to file for bankruptcy.

"They should face the music," Nightingale said. "The mother church could help. They’ve got bucks."

Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail jaleccia@mailtribune.com