Buffalo Diocese Nears Sale of Bishop’s Mansion to Raise Money for Abuse Victims

WBEN
January 4, 2019

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo/2019/01/buffalo-diocese-nears-sale-of-bishops-mansion-to-raise-money-for-abuse-victims.html

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has buyers for two properties it is selling to raise money to pay victims of sexual abuse by priests.

The diocese announced plans in April to sell a bishop’s former mansion and a home for retired priests. The sales could fetch a total of $2.5 million to $3 million for the diocese, according to The Buffalo News.Bishop Richard Malone speaks during a news conference in a file photo. (David Duprey | AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

The money will go to the diocese’s Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Fund, which Bishop Richard Malone set up in March to benefit victims of past sexual abuse by priests.

The diocese expects to pay at least $11 million.

Malone's former mansion is under contract to be sold, but the diocese would not disclose any information on the buyer or sale price. A source told the Buffalo News the buyer is local.

The retired priests' home, the Sheehan Residence, has been under contract since late October.

The bishop's residence is assessed at $1.3 million and has a full market value estimate of $1.91 million, according to the News. The Tudor-style home has nine bedrooms, six bathrooms and over 11,000 square feet of space.

It also has four stone chimneys, a slate roof and a separate apartment above a five-car garage.

The Sheehan Residence is assessed at $490,000 with a full estimated market value of over $720,000, according to the News.

The bishop’s mansion has been owned by the diocese since 1952, according to WKBW in Buffalo. Malone now lives in a former convent at a parish on Buffalo’s East Side.

The diocese and Malone have been facing recent criticism and protests over new revelations of abuse by priests and the diocese’s efforts to relocate them rather than remove them, the News said.