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	Archdiocese and BC Reach Sales Agreement for $65 Million Allston-Brighton Tab [Boston] May 24, 2007 http://www.townonline.com/allston/homepage/x2094507847 The Archdiocese of Boston announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle with Boston College for the purchase and sale of additional property from the Archdiocese's Brighton campus. In 2004, the Archdiocese sold 43 acres from its Brighton campus to Boston College, which included the Cardinal's residence and other buildings, for $99.4 million. In addition, the two institutions completed a subsequent sale of the Archdiocese's Lake Street Tribunal property in 2006 for a purchase price of $8 million. The purchase price reflected in today's announcement is $65 million for just under twenty acres. Closing on the property is expected to be completed by August 1, 2007. "We have reached a significant milestone in announcing this agreement," said Cardinal Seán. "Proceeds from this sale will allow the Archdiocese to invest resources for the benefit of our parishes, clergy, St. John's Seminary and the many important programs that serve a large number of people." The Cardinal added, "In keeping with my long standing commitment, St. John's Seminary will remain at its present location. The Church has been blessed with a significant increase in the number of young men who have expressed interest in priesthood and religious life, earlier this year close to 100 men attended discernment retreats. The future is bright for St. John's, strengthened by the participation of dioceses from throughout our region. On behalf of the Archdiocese I wish to express my gratitude to Boston College, which has been a good friend and neighbor to the Archdiocese during as we work to rebuild our local Church, and to share my looking forward to our continuing to collaborate on behalf of the people of God." "This transaction is a win-win for the Archdiocese, St. John's Seminary, Boston College and the surrounding neighborhood," said Boston College President William P. Leahy, S.J. "A strong and healthy Archdiocese of Boston can better serve not only the Catholic community, but also wider society." Archdiocese to Maintain St. John's Seminary in Brighton As part of the 2004 agreement, the Archdiocese retained an option to sell additional property on its Brighton campus to Boston College. During the course of discussions over the past three years, the Archdiocese has consistently made clear Cardinal Seán's position that St. John's Seminary will remain at its present location. As part of the agreement reached today, the faculty and students of St. John's Seminary will continue to have use of the Seminary Library located on the Brighton campus. Future Home For Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Boston The new Pastoral Center building is located on Brooks Drive in Braintree and is owned by The Flatley Companies. This 140,000 square foot building will house all current departments now housed on the Brighton campus.Other agencies and departments located throughout greater Boston will also be welcomed to this new site. Cardinal Seán added, "We are grateful to Tom Flatley for working with the Archdiocese in identifying a new home for our new pastoral center. Tom has lifted the spirits of scores of people over many years through his philanthropic work and he has made many important contributions both in talent and resources to our local Church. He cares deeply about the future of our Catholic community and we pray that his commitment to the Church inspires others to help us in this important moment of rebuilding." The date for the move to this new location is not yet determined but is expected to occur by July 2008. The Archdiocese moved to its current Brighton location (2121 Commonwealth Avenue) in the late 1920's. The Archdiocese was represented by Bill McCall, President of McCall and Almy. Boston College was represented by Joseph Corcoran, President, of Corcoran Jennison. St. John's Seminary Established by Archbishop John J. Williams in 1883 as the Boston Ecclesiastical Seminary, the school was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to grant degrees in philosophy and divinity, with the first class being admitted in the fall of 1884. More than 3000 priests have received their formation and education at St. John's Seminary and have served the Church in the Archdiocese of Boston and in more than fifty dioceses around the world, as well as in the Holy See and in the military. The Archdiocese of Boston The Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156, 000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in some twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.rcab.org.
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