The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has announced that its 12-floor administrative headquarters has been purchased by Jamison Properties for $31 million. Last year, Cardinal Roger Mahony announced that the Archdiocese would sell the Archdiocesan Catholic Center to help fund the Archdiocese's portion of the $660 million settlement in civil litigation related to claims of sexual abuse.

The Archdiocese will lease back four floors of the building under terms of a five-year lease agreement with Jamison Properties.

"We are pleased with the acquisition of this property, and with the decision of the Archdiocese to continue its operations as a tenant," said Dr. David Lee, M.D., president of Los Angeles-based Jamison Properties.

"The Archdiocesan Catholic Center exists to support our essential ministries --- our parishes, our parish schools and various outreach programs," said Tod Tamberg, director of Media Relations for the Archdiocese. "These essential ministries will continue to serve the pastoral needs of our five million Catholics in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles."

The archdiocesan headquarters moved to its present location at 3424 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, in 1996. Previously, the headquarters was located on James M. Wood Boulevard (formerly West Ninth Street) in Los Angeles.