The plans will see the office sold to fund the construction of a new pastoral centre, which would be used to help train volunteers for leadership and ministry, and bringing all diocesan functions under the one roof.
The diocese has also identified the “urgent need” to create a secure archive space which can be used to store important records from across the diocese into the future.
“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,” said Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin.
“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.”
Speaking to The Echo, former lord mayor, Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy, said the decision to sell the old bishop’s palace is “a brave move”.
Mr McCarthy said: “From the start of his term, Bishop Gavin has been speaking a lot about getting citizens more involved in the church, and about more education on ministry for people on the ground, which is very welcome for those in the Roman Catholic Church.
“It’s positive that part of this proposal is going to connect with the overall Farranferris campus, so there’s a wider debate there on what the campus will look like. The bishop also speaks about creating a secure archive space for the records of the diocese for the future, and I think that’s very much warranted.
“It’s important that those records are archived in a proper way.”
Advocate for the elderly in Cork, Paddy O’Brien said: “A lot of people, regrettably, will be sad about it. I have great memories of the place, and I’ve been there on a few occasions, [so] I’m disappointed. I admire the work that the bishop is doing, this is not a criticism of him, [but] as a church-goer, I am sad to see it go this way, it’s a beautiful building.
“It did come to my mind that it would be an ideal home for the elderly, as there is a great shortage for long-term care for elderly people.
“I just thought to myself, wouldn’t that be nice as an extension of the current Mount Cara Nursing Home, if they were to turn the house into a care facility for elderly people on the northside.”
The diocese said an assessment of the building has determined that it “no longer remains fit for purpose, and too significant an investment would be required to renovate and extend what is a listed building”.
To that end, the diocese made the decision to offer the site for sale, with the intention that it could be included in the wider Farranferris campus. The redevelopment of the site, it said, would allow for the provision of additional much-needed homes on the northside of the city and its sale would help fund the construction of a purpose-built facility at a different location.
The Diocese of Cork and Ross is engaging with Cork City Council with a view to agreeing a master plan in conjunction with the remaining lands at Farranferris.
Separately, a site in Dennehy’s Cross next to the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is being considered as one of the potential sites for the new pastoral centre.
“We feel the time is right to move all training, support and administrative functions to one location,” said Bishop Gavin.