OREGON
Catholic Sentinel
Ed Langlois
Of the Catholic Sentinel
Archbishop Alexander Sample on Thursday sent a two-page letter to parishes and Catholic schools updating them on the case of a priest being sought by Sherwood Police.
In the letter, the archbishop said the Archdiocese of Portland and St. Francis Parish in Sherwood owe “a debt of gratitude” to a teen boy who discovered a spy camera in a bathroom used by altar servers, and to the boy’s family, who diligently made sure police knew about the incident.
Records uncovered by the Oregonian showed that Father Ysrael Bien purchased the $295 camera, which was disguised as an electrical outlet.
Archbishop Sample says he was “shocked and stunned” when he heard the warrant had been issued. Until that time, police had told the archdiocese only that there was “an ongoing investigation.”
Father Bien, 34, has been charged with invasion of privacy, tampering with evidence and initiating a false report — all misdemeanors.
Without telling anyone, Father Bien returned to his native Philippines in June and has stayed, despite repeated requests by Archbishop Sample that he return to Oregon.
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