Diocese sells property to MGM group

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Th e 22News I-Team first told you about a Springfield diocese owned piece of property in the middle of MGM's proposed South End casino.  

MGM Springfield's development company paid the Springfield Diocese $1 million for the land in the South End. 

Diocese Spokesman Mark Dupont told 22News the sale includes a deed restriction which prohibits the future use of the land contrary to Catholic teachings.  Dupont says, gambling is not, on its own, contrary to Church teaching.

The money from the sale will go toward relocating the group of Sisters who lived there and the rest of the money will be held for future Church projects in the Springfield community.

Below is the full statement from Mark Dupont:

This was the final piece of property which was part of the former St. Joseph Parish.  This small parcel was the location of the rectory which was still standing at the time of sale.  As in all diocesan properties the sale included a deed restriction which prohibits uses both now and in the future which are contrary to Catholic teachings. The buyer understood this restriction and accepted those terms as part of the sale. 

Gambling is not, on its own, contrary to Church teaching.  Neither visiting casinos or gambling are in and of themselves wrongful actions, in fact many good Catholics and people of many faiths visit these facilities for entertainment. What the Bishops have consistently spoken out on is the possible consequences that can derive from them.  And so these various matters must be balanced, hence the deed restrictions.

So, if the property were to be used as the site for secondary purposes like parking... it would not be seen as a violation of our deed restriction.

The proceeds from this sale will be used first, to relocate the group of Sisters who were in residence there, and the remaining funds will be held for future diocesan projects in the Springfield community.