For-sale signs go up at archdiocese buildings in St. Paul

Chancery
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Chancery Offices Friday, June 6, 2014, in St. Paul.
Jennifer Simonson | MPR News 2014

For-sale signs have been posted outside several properties owned by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as it seeks to pay creditors.

Explore the full investigation Clergy abuse, cover-up and crisis in the Twin Cities Catholic church

KSTP-TV reports the properties with the for-sale signs include the chancery and the archbishop's residence in St. Paul near the cathedral, as well as three other properties in St. Paul and another in Northfield.

Archdiocese chief financial officer Tom Mertens told the TV station that it was a difficult decision to try selling the properties because of their "significance and history." He said it will be cheaper to rent spaces.

Mertens said there are no offers so far on the properties.

The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in mid-January amid a wave of clergy abuse lawsuits.