By K.C. Myers
Cape Cod Times [Woods Hole MA]
October 13, 2006
http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/homeof13.htm
The property owned by a priest who embezzled church funds and allegedly had a sexual relationship with a man subsequently convicted of murder has been sold to the Humane Society of the United States.
"We want to have a quiet and safe place for the animals," said Robbie Fearn, director of the Cape Wildlife Center, which is part of the largest animal protection organization in the United States.
"We're delighted there's a positive end for the community after a difficult time," he said.
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| The property of Bernard Kelly, former pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Woods Hole, includes a seven-bedroom home. |
The luxurious, 4.3-acre property comprises a seven-bedroom home, a six-car garage with an apartment above and a 10-stall horse barn.
The property borders a pond, has an in-ground pool and bears the name Fox Glen Manor.
It has also become a symbol of the malfeasance of a priest, the Rev. Bernard Kelly, 74, former pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Woods Hole, who allegedly had an intimate relationship with a former sex offender, Paul Nolin.
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| The Rev. Kelly in 2003. |
Kelly came to the attention of police in 2003, when Nolin was arrested after the murder of Jonathan Wessner, 20, of Falmouth. Nolin is now serving a life sentence for the crime.
Nolin worked as a handyman at Kelly's parish. Kelly also named Nolin in his will.
After investigators linked Kelly and Nolin, the pastor retired from the parish in 2003. He also admitted embezzling $50,000 from the parish.
But auditors found him responsible for much more than that.
Kelly eventually agreed to pay $1.3 million to the diocese to make up for the stolen funds, plus interest.
The sale of his Cummaquid property, located on Route 6A, could have taken care of his debt and more had it sold for its original asking price of $3.5 million.
Kelly has since reduced the price tag three times. In January, the Fall River Diocese announced it would foreclose on the property.
But the $1.5 million sale recorded on Oct. 3 is between Kelly himself and the Humane Society.
Kelly could not be reached last night.
The nonprofit animal protection group can afford such elegant digs because it is selling its current 5-acre property on Meadow Lane in West Barnstable for a $1.1 million asking price, Fearn said. The balance comes from donations.
"We've been blessed with wonderful support from people, nongovernmental support," Fearn said.
The Humane Society of the United States had $195 million in liability and assets at the end of 2005, according to the group's annual report.
Founded in 1954, it has 10 million members and constituents, according to the Web site.
But it operates only three animal care centers, or hospitals, in the country, Fearn said. One in California cares primarily for raptors. One in Texas takes in anything from chimpanzees to elephants. And then there is the one on Cape Cod, which has operated quietly for 11 years, caring for Cape wild animals in distress.
It acts as a wildlife hospital and a teaching facility for veterinary students from all over the nation, Fearn said.
With four full-time, year-round staff, as well as part-time and seasonal workers, the center took in about 2,000 animals last year, Fearn said.
Kelly's former property will now be transformed into a sanctuary for animals.
The six-car garage will become the hospital. The in-ground pool will host waterfowl. The large home, which Kelly once planned to turn into a bed and breakfast, will be a dormitory of sorts for visiting veterinary students.
The horse barn will serve as storage space.
Volunteers plan to descend on the property tomorrow to clean up the grounds and the house, Fearn said.
Meanwhile, Fearn has been calling and sending letters to neighbors to let them know personally.
"We're trying hard to be a good neighbor," Fearn said. "We consider our work a kind of community service."
As for the property's notorious connection, it's all in the past, Fearn said.
"My focus is on the future."
K.C. Myers can be reached at kcmyers@capecodonline.com.
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