Oral history interview with Bertram F. Griffin, 1995 July 12-August 30

Tape 1, Side 1, through Tape 2, Side 1. In the first interview session, conducted on July 12, 1995, Griffin discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his education at Catholic schools and the importance of reading in his family. He also talks about moving to various cities in California with his family during World War II, before returning to Portland. He describes the work his father did for the U.S. Army during the war. He speaks extensively about his reasons for joining the Catholic priesthood, about his early studies toward that goal, and about his experiences studying at Mt. Angel Seminary.

Tape 3, Side 1, through Tape 4, Side 1. In the second interview session, conducted on July 26, 1995, Griffin discusses his parents' Catholic faith and political bent. He speaks further about his experiences at Mt. Angel Seminary. He describes the ceremony in which he was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1957, then talks about his work as a priest at churches in the Portland area before the reforms of Vatican II. He shares his experience studying canon law at the Lateran University in Rome, Italy, in the early 1960s. He discusses the reforms of Vatican II, which were implemented after the Second Vatican Council concluded in 1965. He speaks about his activities after returning to Portland in 1964, and about readjusting to life in the United States and the U.S. Catholic Church. He also talks about Father Thomas Tobin.

Tape 5, Side 1, through Tape 6, Side 1. In the third interview session, conducted on August 9, 1995, Griffin discusses his work as chancellor for the Archdiocese of Portland. He talks about applying the reforms of Vatican II, about projects related to social justice that were administered by the Archdiocese, and about his personal philosophy regarding Catholics and social justice. He shares his thoughts about the methods and goals of the peace movement during the Vietnam War, and talks about helping conscientious objectors. He discusses working with Robert J. Dwyer, the archbishop of Portland.

Tape 7, Side 1, though Tape 8, Side 1. In the fourth interview session, conducted on August 16, 1995, Griffin discusses the development of social justice programs and organizations related to the Catholic Church after the reforms of Vatican II, including the work of Father Thomas Tobin. He describes what he learned about organizing from these programs, and how he applied those lessons in work he did with Oregon Fair Share, now Oregon Action. He speaks extensively about serving as pastor at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Portland from 1970 to 1983; he discusses working with the Albina Ministerial Alliance, and speaks about the church's diverse congregation and the Albina community. He talks about the history of the Black community in Portland, and about the effect of school desegregation on Catholic and public schools in the Albina area.

Tape 9. In the fifth interview session, conducted on August 23, 1995, Griffin continues to discuss serving as pastor at St. Andrew Catholic Church. He talks about his relationship with leaders in Portland's Black community, including Ron Herndon and the Reverend John Jackson. He describes how the Albina area has changed since he first came to St. Andrew. He also talks about the work of the Portland Organizing Project and Oregon Fair Share, and about the role of the church as a social institution. He then discusses serving as pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Mill, Oregon, from 1984 to the time of the interview, and describes how the needs of the congregation differed from those of congregations he had worked with previously. He discusses formulating sermons on social justice.

Tape 10, Side 1. In the sixth and final interview session, conducted on August 30, 1995, Griffin discusses the skills and values that people doing social justice work tend to have, and talks about channeling anger about injustice into social action. He closes the interview by discussing social justice issues relevant to suburban congregations like that of St. Pius X.