Woodburn Catholic Priest Accused of Child Sex Abuse

By Mike Benner
NWCN
August 14, 2012

http://www.nwcn.com/home/?fId=166074076&fPath=/news/local&fDomain=10202


WOODBURN -- The pastor at St. Luke Catholic Church in Woodburn was arrested Monday on accusations of sex crimes involving a 12-year-old boy.

Perez was taken into custody following a report to Woodburn police about 1:30 a.m. about inappropriate conduct with a minor, said Officer Mike Araiza of the Woodburn Police Department.

The priest, ordained in 2002, was expected in court Tuesday afternoon for accusations of first- degree sex abuse, using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

"Any person taking advantage of a position of trust is very concerning," said Araiza.

A spokesperson for the Catholic Archdiocese said Perez was served at several churches around Oregon.

"It's a real tragedy for everyone involved," said Archdiocese spokesperson Bud Bunce.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Rick Puente at 503-982-2345

The Oregonian ran a profile of Perez in 2002. He has also served at St. Mary's in Corvallis, and at St. Anne's in Gresham.

He was asked specificially about sex scandals rocking the Roman Catholic Church.

"There are rules. There are so many rules," he told the paper. "They taught us at the seminary -- we are not supposed to touch. I don't have any problems with that. I know my boundaries."