MINNESOTA
KAAL
[with video]
By: Stephen Tellier
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is exploring the possibility of selling four key church properties—a move that was revealed during a bankruptcy proceeding on Tuesday afternoon.
Three of the buildings in question are within walking distance from the Cathedral of St. Paul, and house most, if not all, archdiocese staff, as well as the Archbishop’s own residence. But the church could offload them as it deals with the cost of claims connected to a slew of clergy sex abuse lawsuits.
“I’m very sad, but I’m not surprised, because we are looking at some massive, massive liabilities on the part of the Archdiocese,” said Dr. Charles Reid, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas and an expert on the Catholic Church.
Reid said the properties are large assets with historic value—and prime real estate as well, all overlooking downtown St. Paul.
In its bankruptcy filing last month, the Archdiocese estimated the current value of all four properties it could potentially sell: The chancery building was valued at $6.3 million, the Hayden Center at $2.4 million, and the Dayton Building at $1.4 million. Add in a fourth property in Northfield, and the total jumps to $10.5 million.
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