The Catholic Diocese is carrying through with its promise to sell off property to help pay victims of sexual abuse.
The diocese confirmed it has contracts to sell the bishop's former residence on Oakland Place and the Sheehan Residence for retired priests at West Utica Street and Linwood Avenue. Together, the two buildings are likely to bring in millions of dollars when the real estate deals close, probably in the near future.
The cash will go to the Independent Reconciliation & Compensation Fund, used to compensate victims of sexual abuse by priests. Bishop Richard Malone has said it is likely to cost $11 million in compensation for the actions of priests in diocesan parishes and schools, many moved around the parishes in a coverup.
Prices for either building are hard to judge in advance, since the Sheehan Residence has never been on the tax rolls or on the market, and the Oakland Place residence has not been on the market since 1952 when it was purchased by the diocese for $50,000.
Malone has moved from Oakland Place to the former St. Stanislaus parish convent house on Townsend Street.
