Church may sell properties to pay for Yarmouth abuse deal

The Roman Catholic diocese of Yarmouth is preparing for the possibility of selling some of their properties in order to pay off a $1.5-million settlement reached with victims of sexual abuse by two priests.

The abuse took place in the 1950s and 1960s. The victims were between the ages of three and 16 at the time — four men were victims of priest Adolphe LeBlanc, two women were victims of priest Eddie Theriault. Both men are deceased.

The mediations took place last Friday and ended on Monday.

Hugh Wright, a lawyer for the diocese, said it's not yet clear how the church will find the money for the settlement.

"The exact mechanism hasn't been decided," he told CBC News on Thursday. "There is a fixed amount that does need to be provided in order to fund the settlement, so that will occur and exactly how it's going to occur is the subject of active discussions."

Meanwhile, CBC News has learned the diocese is preparing for the possibility of selling property to pay off the settlement, by creating a list of buildings and land along with an assessment of their worth.

The inventory includes 45 churches, sports fields, priests' homes and three social clubs.

Wright said the diocese of Yarmouth faces at least another 15 unresolved sexual abuse suits.