Wednesday, June 27th 2007      for immediate release

The Archdiocese of Ottawa
Announces the Sale
of St. Brigids Church and Rectory

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa announces that it has completed an agreement for the sale of St. Brigids Church and Rectory in the Lowertown district of Ottawa.

To be completed in September pending the usual title searches, the sale is to a community group formed by leading members of the Irish community of Ottawa. They have the intention to use the property as the Irish Canadian Cultural Centre.

Msgr. Kevin Beach, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, had the following comment: When our former Archbishop, Marcel Gervais, announced the closing of St. Brigids Parish and the sale of the church and rectory, he made it clear that is was our desire that the property be sold to an appropriate owner and for an appropriate use, respectful of the heritage value of St. Brigids Church. After a series of discussions and negotiations with leaders of the Irish community, we believe that this sale will meet those criteria. Given the clear intentions of the purchasers, we are confident that the heritage value of St. Brigids Church will be protected for future generations.

For further information, please contact:

For the Archdiocese of Ottawa:      Gilles Ouellette, Director of Communications, 613-738-5025, ext. 238
For the Irish community group:      Patrick McDonald 613-222-0710

Source:
Gilles Ouellette, Director of Communications
613-738-5025, ext. 238