Chancery for Sale

Saying that the archdiocese of Los Angeles must "be prepared to fund its share" of settlements in over 400 unresolved abuse cases -- a sum early projections have placed in the area of $1 billion, all told -- Cardinal Roger Mahony announced today that the Wiltshire Blvd. central office of the US' largest local church is going on the block.

No parishes or parish schools will be closed to fund these settlements, nor will their essential ministries be affected by these sales. None of the properties being considered for sale are being used by the parishes of the Archdiocese.

I have established a special working group with membership from the Archdiocesan Finance Council, the Deans, the Council of Priests, and the College of Consultors to identify possible eligible properties and to rank them according to use and value. Some 50 properties have already been identified, and further appraisals are being sought on their fair market value. Other possible properties that could be sold are being studied.

With concurrence of our major consultative bodies, I have requested that the first major property to be sold will be the Archdiocesan Catholic Center, located on Wilshire Blvd., in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. It is only right that the Archdiocese begin this process by demonstrating our commitment to reach final settlement in these cases by selling our central administrative building. We would then either lease other lesser office space for our ministries and services, or possibly lease back some space in the existing building.

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