NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WDSU [New Orleans]
February 13, 2025
By Erin Lowrey and Aubry Killion
The Archdiocese of New Orleans is looking to part ways with several independent living apartments amid its ongoing bankruptcy case involving clergy sex abuse.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond issued a statement Thursday saying that the archdiocese is having conversations to formally separate from many agencies, specifically mentioning Christopher Homes.
Christopher Homes is a property management company that oversees the independent living apartments like Annunciation Inn, Christopher Inn, St. Bernard Manor, and six other centers.
The separation is likely signaling a sale of these apartments to help with the settlement of the bankruptcy case.
Sources tell WDSU that an offer has already been made for Christopher Homes, and that it is likely one of the archdiocese’s larger assets.
This comes amid the archdiocese uploading a list of apostolates to its bankruptcy case. The list does not mean all the apostolates are for sale; however, two organizations that the archdiocese has announced possibly parting ways with, Second Harvest and Christopher Homes, were on the list.
On Christopher Homes website, an announcement states that as of Friday, waiting lists for all the apartments under its umbrella will close and no applications will be accepted at this time.
It is unclear at this time how the potential sale will impact those on waiting lists or already in the apartments.
The website also states that Providence Community Housing has assumed the operations of Christopher Homes.
The president and CEO of Providence Community Housing also has a history with the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Terri North used to be a financial consultant for the archdiocese, specifically for Christopher Homes, back in 2002, according to her LinkedIn page.
Sources tell WDSU that North’s husband, Judge Michael North, blocked a request from attorneys to unseal convicted priest Lawrence Hecker’s deposition. Records show in 2021 the decision to deny the motion “at this time” was due to do the archdiocese bankruptcy proceedings.
Hecker was convicted of rape and kidnapping and died a week after being sentenced to life in prison.
“The community conversation around the leadership transitions at Second Harvest Food Bank have continued and grown more contentious over the past week.
“It is a Gospel call and tenant of our Catholic faith to feed the hungry. I want to assure the community that the mission of Second Harvest Food Bank is critical and that neither I, nor anyone associated with the archdiocese, would ever do anything to impede the organization from fulfilling its mission. We are not asking Second Harvest to do anything that would be contrary to that mission and will always honor the wishes of donors and all grants and contracts. As I have publicly stated, no demand for settlement funds has been made and no donor funds from Second Harvest have been used or will be used to fund the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings.
“As I have said before, the former leadership of Second Harvest had asked to divest itself from the Archdiocese of New Orleans – meaning they are seeking to formally separate themselves. This is a second step of separation for in 2011, Second Harvest was separated from Catholic Charities. At that time, at the request of the Second Harvest Board of Directors, the divestiture allowed Second Harvest to move forward with all of the assets and with the Archbishop of New Orleans as sole member.
“Conversations around the future of Second Harvest’s relationship to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the terms of a formal separation are ongoing. A committee of the Board of Directors is being formed and will be tasked to explore all options and opportunities and will make recommendations about how best to move forward. I remain open to this conversation and look forward to hearing their recommendations.
“An additional committee of the Second Harvest board is also actively considering candidates to lead Second Harvest into the future.
“As we move forward, I think it is important to note that similar conversations about formal separations are being had with other agencies and entities of the archdiocese, particularly Christopher Homes. As many of you may recall we recently sold Notre Dame Health System. All of this is in an effort to create a more sustainable and efficient archdiocese for the future that carries less liability and bureaucracy so that our focus may be on sharing the faith and bringing the Gospel to the community. It is my daily prayer that we will be successful in these endeavors and provide a feasible blueprint for the future of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
“I ask you to join me in prayer for all involved and for all of those served by Second Harvest in our community and beyond.”