MONCTON, N.B. -- The archbishop of a Roman Catholic diocese in New Brunswick says it wants fair market value for properties it's selling to help cover the costs of a $5-million compensation package for people who allege they were sexually abused by priests.
The number of employees within the Moncton Catholic diocese will also be cut to 14 from 20.
Archbishop Valery Vienneau says the diocese will sell its office and a vacant piece of land.
Both are in Dieppe.
Vienneau says the diocese has faced declining revenues, registering a $200,00 deficit last year.
He says the sex abuse settlement compounded its fiscal problems.
Michel Bastarache, a former Supreme Court of Canada justice, was hired by the diocese last year to conduct a reconciliation and compensation process for alleged victims of sexual abuse by former priests.
Vienneau says Bastarache heard from about 80 people and will deliver a final report this summer.
In January, Bastarache said the payments ranged from $15,000 to $300,000 each.
