Biddeford Council Urged to Approve Convent Sale to UNE

Letter argues sale will allow aging religious community to meet living expenses

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A letter writer is urging the Biddeford City Council to approve the sale of a convent owned by the Good Shepherd Sisters to the University of New England (UNE). The writer argues the sale will allow the aging, religious community to meet living expenses, as the sisters taught without a salary and are not eligible for Social Security. Some homeowners have opposed the sale, claiming UNE will disturb the tranquility of the Saco River, but the writer says UNE is not planning any disruptive construction.

Why it matters

The sale of the convent to UNE has become a contentious issue in Biddeford, pitting the needs of the aging religious community against concerns from some homeowners about potential development. The outcome could impact UNE's ability to expand and the financial security of the Good Shepherd Sisters.

The details

The Good Shepherd Sisters first came to Biddeford in 1882 to teach the children of French Canadian immigrants. The convent sits near the Saco River. The city council has placed a moratorium on allowing UNE to purchase the convent, with some homeowners claiming UNE will construct buildings and wharves that will disturb the river's tranquility. However, the letter writer says UNE is not planning any disruptive construction, and argues the sale will allow the sisters, who taught without a salary, to meet the living expenses of their aging community.

  • The Good Shepherd Sisters first came to Biddeford in 1882.
  • The city council has placed a moratorium on allowing UNE to purchase the convent.

The players

University of New England (UNE)

A university that is seeking to purchase the convent of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Biddeford, Maine.

Good Shepherd Sisters

A religious community that has owned a convent in Biddeford, Maine since 1882, when they came to teach the children of French Canadian immigrants.

Biddeford City Council

The local government body that has placed a moratorium on allowing UNE to purchase the convent owned by the Good Shepherd Sisters.

Homeowners on the Saco River

Some local residents who have opposed the sale of the convent to UNE, claiming it will disturb the tranquility of the Saco River.

Michael Guignard

The letter writer who is urging the Biddeford City Council to approve the sale of the convent to UNE.

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What they’re saying

“This situation gives the appearance that the people of Biddeford do not care about the sisters. I find that hard to believe.”

— Michael Guignard (pressherald.com)

What’s next

The Biddeford City Council will need to decide whether to lift the moratorium and allow the sale of the convent to UNE to proceed.

The takeaway

The proposed sale of the convent to UNE has become a divisive issue in Biddeford, pitting the needs of the aging religious community against concerns from some homeowners. The outcome could have significant implications for both UNE's expansion plans and the financial security of the Good Shepherd Sisters.