In talks about the JPII Center in DC

The Rev. Monsignor William Kerr, picked by Maida to be the center’s director, confirmed Monday through a spokeswoman that talks are taking place.

“We are negotatiating with Notre Dame, but he can’t say anything more,” John Paul II Cultural Center spokeswoman Sandy Peeler said.

The center is currently being underwritten with $40 million from Catholics in metro Detroit through the archdiocese, which loaned $17 million to the center to cover operating deficits and has guaranteed a $23 million mortgage on the center, which opened in 2001.