This oral history interview with Bertram F. Griffin was conducted by Jim Strassmaier at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon, in six sessions from July 12 to August 30, 1995. The interview was conducted as part of the Legacy of Hope: Catholics and Social Justice Project, which collected interviews with Catholic clergy and social justice activists in Oregon about their work on social action in the Roman Catholic tradition.

In this interview, Griffin discusses his reasons for joining the Catholic priesthood. He talks about his experiences at Mt. Angel Seminary and at the Lateran University in Rome, Italy, then speaks about his activities after returning to Portland in 1964. He discusses his work as chancellor for the Archdiocese of Portland from 1971 to 1975, including applying the reforms of Vatican II; projects related to social justice that were administered by the Archdiocese; and assisting conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War. He speaks extensively about serving as pastor at St. Andrew Catholic Church from 1970 to 1983, including working with the Albina Ministerial Alliance, and his relationship with leaders in Portland's Black community, including Ron Herndon and the Reverend John Jackson. He then discusses serving as pastor at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Mill, Oregon, from 1984 to the time of the interview.