Letitia James Seized Nuns’ $19 Million and STILL Won’t Release It So They Can Care for Aging Members
For 123 years, the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence devoted their time and money to help young women in Manhattan through the Jeanne D’Arc Residence.
Jeanne d’Arc Residence is dedicated to creating a welcoming and caring environment for women seeking safe, affordable and temporary housing in New York City. Through the ministry provided at Jeanne d’Arc Residence, the Sisters of Divine Providence are committed to ensuring a Christian environment which serves women of all nationalities, cultures and religions. In this setting, the good news of Jesus Christ is lived and proclaimed in the spirit of Providence.”
The nuns, whose order is based in Kentucky, have seen their number shrink and their population age. The cost of continuing to run the residence has become too much to bear as they face caring for their own elderly sisters.
The sisters sold the property to John Catsimidis for $22.5 million. Because the property is part of a registered charitable organization, Letitia James’ office must, and did, approve the sale.
But devoting over a century to vulnerable women in the city is not enough for James. Her office seized the proceeds of the sale and, for two years, has refused to release it to them.
James’ reason? She doesn’t like what the nuns will do with their money.