Posted on 04/01/2014 3:39:41 AM PDT by markomalley
Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has apologized for using a bequest to construct a 6,400-square-foot residence at the cost of $2.2 million.
In an archdiocesan newspaper column, the prelate explained his reasons for vacating his current residence and building a home with “separate living quarters and common spaces, a large kitchen for catering, and lots of room for receptions and other gatherings.”
“I am disappointed that, while my advisors and I were able to justify this project fiscally, logistically and practically, I personally failed to project the cost in terms of my own integrity and pastoral credibility with the people of God of north and central Georgia,” he said.
“I failed to consider the impact on the families throughout the Archdiocese who, though struggling to pay their mortgages, utilities, tuition and other bills, faithfully respond year after year to my pleas to assist with funding our ministries and services,” he added. “To all of you, I apologize sincerely and from my heart.”
Archbishop Gregory said that after consultation, he hoped that the archdiocese would sell the residence and that he “would look to purchase or rent something appropriate.”
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Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has moved into a spacious new residence, built at a cost of $2.2 million, the Journal-Constitution reports. The archbishop’s former residence is now being converted into a rectory for priests serving at the cathedral parish, at an equal cost of $2.2 million.
The costs for these buildings are being funded by the proceeds from a bequest left to the Atlanta archdiocese by an heir to Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone With the Wind. The choice to spend the money on new residences, rather than on schools or charitable programs, has raised questions in Atlanta. Archbishop Gregory has said that his new 6,000-square-foot residence will give him more opportunities to entertain the faithful of the archdiocese.
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You have to wonder what the intensely racist Margaret Mitchell would have said about her money going to build a mansion for a black bishop.
What would one expect?
To me, it is amazing that somehow public opinion, other forces, or [gasp! true regret] prompted the black Bishop to apologize at all. Usually, the first words of their mouth is “racism.”
To me, I’ll bet the bishop got some great satisfaction of pissing away $4.2 million on opulence using the money from “Gone With the Wind.”
When they moved into the building, the first thing they did was have all of the beds and mattresses removed, and donated to a homeless shelter. The nun who was in charge was actually kind of upset over the whole thing. She said something to this effect: "When we made the decision to move here we were very clear that we didn't want any beds. We sleep on mats on the floor."
She's been dead a long time. I think what's more relevant is how the many Catholics in the Atlanta area who are all constantly being exhorted to give more and more to the "archbishop's annual appeal" (goal $7.5 mil) react to this. The catholic church in atlanta has been determined to put a black man in the top position for decades, starting with the sex scandal of Eugene Marino, then going to Lyke who died (cancer I believe) then Donoghue (not black) followed Gregory who showed the less than stellar judgment of building a fancy house for himself. I guess he was inspired by the Vatican.
She may have been a racist by your shallow standards, but in her day she was called another name by idiots.
If this is a man of God, the woods are full of them.
The archbishop needs a comfortable home from which to entice illegal aliens to Atlanta…wouldn’t want to send a mission to Mexico to do the same thing!
Affirmative action at its best!!!
I don’t see this as greed. This house doesn’t belong to the priest and never will. They could ask him to move tomorrow and he would. besides he isn’t building a mega mansion. That is why priests are asked to take oaths of poverty (no earthly attachments), and it’s the reason they can’t get married, that would creat severe conflicts of interests in terms of earthly possesions and serving God.
Diocesan priests don’t take vows of poverty
Some people’s ability to slander people of God, and complete self pride and lack of respect for things associated with God, gives me the heeby jeevies. We are all held accountable. There are consequences whether you know it or not. Your souls are more important than your loathing of foreigners or your political party.
I believe he has excellent taste in matters residential, decorational and culinary.
The sacking of the Bling Bishop has you breaking out in a cold sweat, eh, Archbishop?
Oh , he gonna entertain the faithful alright.
Nice digs. Obama’s Kenyan bro is envious.
It might do the bishop of Atlanta a lot of good to do exactly that, after squandering more than $2M on a palace. Bet he won't, though, he likes his comforts and safety.
Have you ever read Gone with the Wind or any biography of Mitchell? She was a horrible person, thought the Klan was great for killing Republicans. Her views might have been common among Georgia whites in the 1920’s, but that does not lessen her culpability.
Don’t get me started on Mother Teresa, look into a bit.
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