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L.A. archdiocese to sell convent to cover sex abuse settlement
By: Associated Press - | ∞
SANTA BARBARA -- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is selling a convent that has housed an order of nuns for more than four decades to help pay for a record-breaking sex abuse settlement.
Three nuns from the Sisters of Bethany order have until Dec. 31 to move out, though an earlier departure "would be acceptable as well," the archdiocese's vicar general said in a letter to the nuns.
"We're just so hurt by this," said Sister Angela Escalera, the order's local superior. "And what hurts the most is what the money will be used for, to help pay for the pedophile priests. We have to sacrifice our home for that?"
In July, the archdiocese announced a record $660 million settlement with clergy abuse victims. Of that, as much as $373 million will be paid by the archdiocese, with the rest coming from insurers and various religious orders.
To help cover the bill the archdiocese plans to sell up to 50 non-parish properties, including its administrative headquarters. The convent is the first property outside of those central offices to be identified as among those to be sold.
The decision to sell the convent was difficult but necessary, said Tod M. Tamberg, spokesman for the archdiocese.
"The pain is being spread around," Tamberg said. "We're losing our headquarters here, and none of the employees got a pay raise this year. This is just part of making it right with the victims, and we all have to share in the process even though none of us ---- the nuns, myself ---- harmed anybody."
The Santa Barbara County assessor's office lists the convent property's value at $97,746, though it will likely sell for more. Smaller, older homes nearby start at about $700,000, according to the local real estate Web sites.
Escalera said the sisters have been overwhelmed by offers of help, including temporary housing.
ATman wrote on Oct 5, 2007 4:52 AM:I hope the people see that this is a tactic by Mahoney as he plays the "victim role." In this example, he is blaming the victims of his own ... actions as the cause of these selfless women being thrown into the streets. Dear Sheeple, please wake up. Dear reporter, you have been used.-
KatyM wrote on Oct 24, 2007 9:42 AM:This is SO pathetic. Why should these poor women be paying for what the Priests brought on themselves ? The PRIESTS were the abusers & those who covered this up were just as much at fault. I'm a 60 yr. old Catholic & wouldn't give another penny to a Church who's involved in this. And it's STILL going on.
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