BOSTON — In a surprise bid to remedy both the financial and symbolic tolls of last year’s sexual abuse crisis, the Archdiocese of Boston announced Dec. 3 plans to sell the opulent house that has been the residence of its archbishops.
The Italian-style mansion, which last year became a symbol to some of Cardinal Bernard Law’s aloofness toward ordinary Catholics, and an adjacent 28 rolling acres are expected to command tens of millions in Boston’s high-priced real estate market. Proceeds from the sale will reportedly enable the church to pay whatever remains uncovered by insurance in an $85 million settlement with 540 victims of clergy sexual abuse. By selling the residence’s nine acres and 19 adjacent acres at St. John’s Seminary, the archdiocese honors a pledge not to use recent donations to settle claims.
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