Montville ― Members of the Mohegan Tribal Council, Saint Bernard School and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich on Wednesday celebrated the tribe’s $6.55 million purchase of a 113-acre land parcel that includes the school.

The school was one of several assets the diocese is being forced to liquidate as part of its bankruptcy plan to help fund settlement payments to alleged victims of sexual assaults by priests and other diocesan employees.

The diocese and attorneys representing the victims and other creditors are negotiating a bankruptcy plan. But the federal bankruptcy judge has paused the case as he awaits Supreme Court action on a case that could impact the bankruptcy settlement.

Meanwhile, the sale of the school was approved by a judge in June. As part of that purchase, the tribe will lease a 43-acre portion of the Route 32 property back to the school for the next 20 years at a cost of $1 per year.

School Headmaster Don Macrino said Wednesday the tribe has not indicated any plans to develop the remaining 70 acres of the purchased land, and would instead maintain its natural beauty.

Additionally, the school has promised in the lease agreement that it would not “disturb any of the (Mohegans’) sacred land.”

“We’re here today to celebrate the rightful return of Mohegan land to the Mohegan people,” Macrino said. “And to acknowledge a generous gift that provides Saint Bernard School with a path forward for many years into the future.”

That land carries “great historic meaning and cultural significance to the Mohegan tribe,” it’s chairman James Gessner Jr. said during his remarks Wednesday.

“The agreement that we have now with the Saint Bernard school marks a new chapter in our shared history. It is much more than a simple lease agreement,” he said.

“It’s a leap forward for the entire community,” Gessner said.

Bishop Michael Cote of the Diocese of Norwich said the diocese will continue to support the school going forward.

“This is a huge asset, obviously, and it’s been preserved through the way this has been resolved with the Mohegans,” he said. “It’s been a very nice solution.”

d.drainville@theday.com