Former Boston cardinal's residence to be sold to pay abuse settlement

Published: 2003-12-04

BOSTON (CNS) -- In keeping with its promise not to use parish, appeal or capital campaign funds to finance a record $85 million sexual abuse settlement, the Archdiocese of Boston announced Dec. 3 that it would use insurance money and sell a portion of church property that includes the former cardinal's residence to pay for the settlement. The archdiocese plans to sell approximately 28 acres of land, about half the area of 59.7 acres it owns in Brighton. Nine acres of the 28-acre parcel are connected with the residence that housed the heads of the Boston Archdiocese for 75 years; 19 acres are underutilized property belonging to St. John's Seminary. The seminary land houses a gymnasium and a parking garage. The decision to sell the property was announced after a meeting between archdiocesan officials and the seminary's board of trustees.

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