The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador was sold on Tuesday for $3 million, an amount that will be used to compensate children who were sexually abused by priests at an orphanage.
The building, which belonged to St. John’s Roman Catholic Episcopal Church, was sold along with other buildings, including a private college and forum, to a trio of Catholic organizations. They intend to preserve the place of worship and continue to operate the college, a press release said.
Local media reported that the complex was sold for around $3 million.
“The sale of this property is an important step in the plan to compensate victims of the former Mount Cashel Orphanage. The entire group is very pleased that the proceeds from the sale will benefit this cause,” the three acquirers said in a joint press release.
In January 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada had ruled that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s was responsible for compensating victims, hence the decision to sell the properties to raise the necessary funds.
The Mount Cashel Orphanage, run by the Christian Brethren, was the scene of a massive abuse scandal in which dozens of young victims were physically and sexually abused. This scandal was covered up by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, which refused to take complaints seriously in the 1970s.