Archdiocese accepts GovGuam's offer to buy Chancery property

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Archdiocese of Agaña has formally accepted the government of Guam’s offer to buy the chancery property for $2.38 million.

The escrow is expected to be closed on Dec. 12. 

The sale of the Chancery property is a major part of the settlement terms enumerated in the 5th Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan agreed upon by both parties and approved by the court.

 From the overall sum, $500,000 of the sale proceeds will be used to renovate the museum space at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica for the new Chancery. 

An additional $250,000 will be applied to administrative claims as allowed by the court. 

Less commission and closing fees, the rest of the sale proceeds, expected to be close to $1.6 million, will go to the Archbishop of Agaña Settlement Trust for the claimants. The Joint Plan also calls for six months delayed possession by the buyer to accommodate the renovations and move.

Noting the urgency for claimants, Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez said he prays that the chancery sale will help provide a small measure of justice for the deep harm they endured at the hands of members of our Church.

The chancery site has historic, spiritual and cultural significance to the people of Guam. Then Pope John Paul II stayed overnight at the Archbishop’s House during his historic visit to Guam on Feb. 22-23, 1981.

Phoenix Foundation, a local nonprofit group, initially offered to purchase the property but later withdrew its plan after falling short of the funds required to seal the transaction.

The San Ramon Hill real estate is home to the archbishop and the church’s chancery offices.

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