Buffalo Diocese has offer for Christ the King Seminary

(WIVB) – The Diocese of Buffalo has a potential buyer for the sprawling former Christ the King seminary in East Aurora.

But the $3.8 million proposed offer from World Mission Society, Church of God, will have to survive an auction that could garner higher bids.

Bankruptcy Court filings reveal the Diocese's request to approve bidding procedures and to set an auction date for the 117-acre property, which includes 18 buildings.

The list price for the property was $5.3 million.

A Diocese spokesman said there are three to four potential bidders.

The seminary closed in 2020 due to regular deficits of $500,000 per year.

The Diocese is selling assets to collect funds to help pay for any settlement of the hundreds of sexual abuse claims filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which gave victims a year to file claims against abusers. In October 2023, the Diocese's "suggested contribution" to settle the cases was $100 million, plus insurance funds.

The Diocese also plans to sell its headquarters on Main Street.

World Mission Society Church of God is a New Jersey-based nonprofit whose world mission is to "enlighten humankind about the truth of the New Covenant that leads to salvation."

The nonprofit launched in South Korea in 1964, according to its website, and has a presence in 175 countries and every continent.