Archbishop Alexander K. Sample Archives

Northwest bishops experience encouragement, fraternity, unity with pope

Feb 3, 2020

Bishops from the northwestern United States spent more than two and half hours with Pope Francis and came away talking about his small gestures and, especially, his understanding and encouragement.

By Catholic News Service

Beginning ‘ad limina,’ bishops reflect on call to sacrifice, to love

Feb 3, 2020

Celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Peter with his fellow bishops from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland asked them to consider the red vestments they were wearing, a reminder both that St. Peter died a martyr’s death for his faith in Jesus and of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

By Cindy Wooden

Bishops hear follow-up Encuentro report, OK writing new pastoral plan

Nov 17, 2019

The U.S. bishops, aware of the growing numbers of Catholics in the country who are of Hispanic origin, voted to write a new pastoral plan for Latino Catholics that would be produced sometime between 2021 and 2024.

By Mark Pattison

Oregon Catholics pledge to be missionary disciples, to spread good news

Feb 4, 2018

During an encuentro Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Salem, Oregon’s capital city, Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample acknowledged the special problems immigrants face now, plus the normal trials of marriage, parenthood and employment.

By Ed Langlois

Oregon Catholic father of four killed trying to protect fellow passengers

May 31, 2017

Rick Best was one of two men who died after defending two women being accosted by a passenger yelling hate speech about Muslims and other groups. Best was a 53-year-old member of Christ the King Parish in Milwaukie, Oregon. Members of the church have mobilized to support his widow and four children.

By Ed Langlois

U.S. archbishop, pilgrims readying for Mass when Italian quake struck

Oct 28, 2016

Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland, Oregon, was preparing to celebrate Mass Oct. 26 with Benedictine monks in Norcia when the first of two powerful earthquakes struck, saying, “I had no sooner finished (the vesting) prayer to be protected from the assaults of Satan when bang: It just hit and it hit with a vengeance.”

By Junno Arocho Esteves