Cardinal opts to keep historic residence

BY CHRISTINA WHITE
THE ARCHBISHOP of Westminster has decided not to sell his historic country residence in Hertfordshire, despite winning the approval of priests to put it on the market.
Hare Street House, in the village of Buntingford was left to the See of Westminster in the early 1900s by Mgr Robert Benson, a Catholic convert and the younger son of a former Archbishop of Canterbury.
The house was made available to all the priests of the archdiocese in 1950, when Pope Pius XII asked Cardinal Bernard Griffin to allow clergy to use it as a "refuge from the trials of parish life". It has been used since by small groups of clergy for prayer, meetings and contemplation.
When Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor was appointed archbishop two years ago, he asked the clergy of the diocese if the house should be sold. The resounding answer was yes, but The Catholic Herald has now learned that the Cardinal has decided not to sell.
Fr Jim Curry, the Cardinal's private secretary, denied that there were ever plans to sell Hare Street.
He said: "The trust that looks after the property is in debt and that is what prompted the initial review. The matter is entirely in the hands of the archbishop. The Cardinal asked the clergy of the diocese if he should sell the house and the resounding response was yes he should. For various reasons he has now decided not to sell.
"The house is for the use of the archbishops of Westminster. It is the Cardinal's private residence, but he allows groups of clergy to use it from time to time."
The Cardinal spent a few days at the house after Christmas and has used it a number of times since he became archbishop.
Fr Curry said reports that the Cardinal disliked Hare Street and found it gloomy were unfounded.
He said: "He thinks it's a very pleasant house."
Hare Street House's reprieve may be thanks, in part, to the proposed sale of a cottage in the grounds which should help to reduce the debt and pay running costs on the property. The trust that administers the house has approved the sale which will proceed subject to no objections being raised.
One Westminster priest, who has stayed at the house on many occasions, said he was "delighted" that the house would remain for the clergy.
He said: "It is a very important house and much loved by many of us. It is used by many priests as a place for days of recollection and gathering.
"I am pleased that we can continue to do that away from the rush and tumble of things."