The Diocese of Cork and Ross plans to sell its historic office and former ‘bishop’s palace’ on the northside of Cork City to help fund construction of a new pastoral centre where lay people will be trained to support the dwindling number of priests.
The imposing 1930s-built property off Redemption Road, with landscaped gardens, sandwiched between the North Monastery and Farranferris campuses, could fetch several hundred thousand euro on the open market.
But the architectural and heritage status of the former bishop’s palace building will dictate the site’s development potential, a property source said.
Bishop of Cork and Ross, Most Reverend Fintan Gavin, said surveys have shown the property, which hasn’t been used as a residence for over 20 years, no longer remains fit for purpose, and too significant an investment would be required to renovate and extend it.
“It was re-purposed over 20 years ago and has served our needs but as we look at our needs going into the future, it is just not suitable,” he said.
"The seat of the Bishop of Cork and Ross will always remain on the northside at the North Cathedral. However, we feel the time is right to move all training, support and administrative functions to one location. This will help us to secure the future for the diocese to continue supporting our parishes as we plan better for the future.
“Funds from the sale of the Diocesan Office will be used to meet the costs of the new centre.”
The former bishop's palace for the Diocese of Cork and Ross was built around 1930 to a design by architect Samuel F Hynes.
According to its listing on the National Built Heritage Service catalogue the detached, U-plan, three-bay, two-storey, over basement property displays many characteristics of early 20th century architecture.
It features projecting end bays, it has a seven-bay side elevation to the south, a full-height central canted bay, a canted bay to west and a single-storey return to north.
“The advanced bays to the main elevation and canted bay to south elevation enliven the building's symmetrical form, with the skilful use of brick and clay tile detailing adding further embellishment,” the entry says.
“The Celtic-influenced door lintel to the main entrance adds artistic interest, while also subtly reflecting the continued promotion of a national identity within the emergent independent state at this time."
The proposed new Cork and Ross Pastoral Centre will bring all diocesan functions under one roof, including education, mission and ministry, youth ministry, safeguarding, communications and administrative functions, including the bishop’s office and diocesan secretariat, and will offer a secure archive space to store important records from across the diocese.
But it will also be used to help train volunteers for leadership and ministry in the diocese’s families of parishes in the years ahead.
A site next to the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Dennehy’s Cross is being considered as one of the potential sites for the new centre.
Bishop Gavin said: "As a community, we need to address the reality that more and more lay people will be engaged to meet the pastoral needs of our diocese in the years ahead.
“As of now, we do not have suitable premises in which to train and support people, who will be vital to the provision of ministry and outreach.
“The new pastoral centre will be used by the community and priests, will and ensure a more efficient use of resources under one roof for both the priests and laity.”
The diocese is engaging with Cork City Council on a master plan for the site in conjunction with the remaining lands at Farranferris.
Bishop Gavin said he has also begun a “wider consultation process” on the potential developments.
Independent northside Cllr Ken O'Flynn called last night for the bishop to scrap the sale plan and instead consider donating the building to the city "to serve the most vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly".