OREGON
The Oregonian

By Nancy Haught, The Oregonian
on February 01, 2013

The Most Rev. Alexander K. Sample, the next Catholic Archbishop of Portland, says he will be as transparent as he can about cases of sexual clergy abuse.

Sample, who spent a few days in Portland this week, returned to Michigan yesterday, where he’s been bishop of the Diocese of Marquette for the past seven years.

In a telephone interview, he talked about some of the serious challenges he’ll face as he tries to shepherd a geographical area twice the size of his diocese with more than four times as many Catholics.

People inside and outside the church are wondering about his philosophy toward accusations of clerical abuse. He also talked about his “obvious fondness for traditional liturgy,” the role of women in the church and Catholics who are critical of official church teaching.

More of his…