BOSTON — Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley is taking extraordinary steps to meet a Dec. 22 deadline for sending settlement payments to alleged clergy sex abuse victims, according to The Associated Press.

O'Malley, who helped negotiate the $85 million settlement, is putting up for sale the mansion he and four archbishops before him have lived in. The mansion and 28 surrounding acres, viewed by critics as an embarrassing symbol of church arrogance, is valued between $14 million and $100 million.

Because the payments are due by Dec. 22, the archdiocese took out $75 million in loans from two major banks and a $15 million loan from a clergy retirement fund. Proceeds from the sale of property and from insurance will be used to pay off the loans.

The archdiocese secured the debts by mortgaging the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in South Boston as well as St. John's Seminary.

The moves drew praise from victims and priests.

"I think getting rid of the archbishop's house is not only symbolic, but a welcome thing to do," said the Rev. Robert Bullock, president of the Boston Priests Forum. "If there is any inconvenience on the part of the church in having to mortgage and sell property, it is nothing compared to what is necessary to do for victims."

David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said O'Malley was left with no other choices.

"He's a smart man who understands that the parishioners and the victims cannot take one more betrayal or excuse or technicality or rationalization," Clohessy said. "Time and time again, we've seen bishops who say, ‘I'd love to do what's right, but ….'"

The Rev. Christopher Coyne, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said O'Malley disclosed the plan to reassure parishioners the collection plate wouldn't be used to pay the settlements.

"He felt saddened that a property that has been so much a part of the history of the city of Boston … will now be sold to settle the claims, but it's what the archdiocese had to do," Coyne said.