Boston Archbishop’s mansion sold in $100-million deal

Boston, Mass., May 17, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The Archdiocese of Boston has agreed to sell its archbishop’s residence and 43 acres surrounding it to Boston College for $99.4 million, reported RNS.

The deal was announced April 20. The sale will give the archdiocese the much-needed funds to help pay an $85-million settlement with victims of clergy sexual abuse.

In two years, the archdiocese also plans to sell another 3 acres of land for around $8 million.

Archbishop Sean O’Malley was saddened that the property had to be sold, but was pleased that the archdiocese settled on the offer proposed by the Jesuit-run college.

“It is good that we have been able to keep the property within the Catholic family,” the bishop was quoted as saying.

RNS also reported that the two parties tentatively agreed that if the archdiocese decides to sell St. John’s Seminary and chancery headquarters, the college could buy those remaining 18 acres for $60 million.