Posted on 05/21/2002 2:42:55 PM PDT by spald
Cardinal wants to sell Chicago mansion
From the National Desk
Published 5/21/2002 11:23 AM
CHICAGO, May 21 (UPI) -- Chicago's Catholic archbishop has proposed selling his landmark 120-year-old mansion to help financially struggling church schools.
The palatial three-story red brick mansion, nicknamed the House of 19 Chimneys because of its numerous fireplaces, has been the official residence of Catholic bishops since 1885. But Cardinal Francis George said his vow of poverty conflicts with living in a building worth between $12 million and $20 million.
George, 65, suggested selling the Gold Coast property last weekend at the ordination mass for 11 priests. He said he thought priests should live simply and said he would ask church leaders to consider putting a "For Sale" sign outside the mansion.
"How do you live in a way that appears simpler when living in that house?" he asked. "I have to ask a whole flock of people if we can sell the residence."
Some may be reluctant to let the mansion go, even though the historic building where Pope John Paul II and President Franklin Roosevelt once slept, is protected by designated landmark status and cannot be torn down without the city's permission by developers lusting to build another high-rise on the prime half-block lot it occupies near pricey Lincoln Park.
The Chicago Commission on Landmarks declared the mansion a landmark in 1975 as part of the Lakefront Protection district.
Just four people, including the archbishop, and several household staff members live in the mansion, which has a small chapel, guest rooms and sitting rooms. Four nuns live in the adjoining coach house.
George said he's never been comfortable living in a mansion and said proceeds from the sale should go into a fund to keep more parochial schools from closing. The archdiocese also faces huge legal expenses from priest sex-abuse lawsuits.
Copyright © 2002 United Press International
Is this guy new in his job? How long has he been living there?
But Cardinal Francis George said his vow of poverty conflicts with living in a building worth between $12 million and $20 million.Since when do diocesan priests take a vow of poverty? I understood they only took vows of chastity and obedience.
http://www.rcf.org/docs/isgeorgefittoserve.htm
Francis Cardinal George betrays his flock. Is he fit to serve?
In the September 20, 2000 issue of the Chicago Sun-Times there appeared an article titled: STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT -Group for gay Catholics expands to south suburbs, By Cathleen Falsani, Suburban Reporter in which the Sun Times announced:
The Archdiocese of Chicago's ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics is expanding to the suburbs. Cardinal Francis George has given the go-ahead for the Archdiocesan Gay and Lesbian Outreach program -- known as AGLO -- to set up its first suburban outpost at St. Emeric's Church in Country Club Hills.
I don't know why they need a specific gay outreach. All the good Cardinal has to do is go talk to a few of his priests.
Born: January 16, 1937
Entered Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate: August 14, 1957
Ordained a Priest: December 21, 1963
Appointed as Fifth Bishop of Yakima: July 10, 1990
Ordained and Installed as Bishop: September 21, 1990
Appointed as Ninth Archbishop of Portland in Oregon: April 30, 1996
Installed as Archbishop: May 27, 1996
Appointed as Eighth Archbishop of Chicago: April 8, 1997 Installed as Archbishop: May 7, 1997
Named Cardinal by Pope John Paul II: January 18,1998
Created Cardinal Priest in Consistory: February 21, 1998
So, let me get this straight. This guy has been the Archbishop of Chicago for five years and only now has he figured out that living in a $20 million mansion might conflict with his vow of poverty?
Matthew Chpt 8
20But Jesus said, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head."
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!So, tell me, berned, do you save for retirement?Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[2]? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Well, I certainly don't live in a 20 million dollar mansion like the Roman Catholic Church bigshots do! As Peter once said "Sliver and Gold I have none".....
You didn't answer eastsider's question.
You're such a transparent bigot.
I have nothing against providing for better schools; in fact, I support it. But the real estate investments, the trust funds -- from a business point of view, all of these things are supposed to generate income to help the various Christian charities, parochial education, etc.
Take the Archdiocese of New York (please!). It was once one of the richest in the world. Nowadays, it's closed and sold off its schools. Why? What happened to the coffers laden income-generating assets of the Archdiocese that they closed the schools down? It seems pretty obvious that the Archdiocese's financial assets have been mismanaged. For what? Was it all for hush money? I certainly hope not, and I doubt it was. So what happened?
And now here's Cardinal George, in the middle of a crisis that threatens the coffers even further, selling an asset, ostensibly for parochial education. I don't know enough about the situation to say that's not really his intention, but it sure looks suspicious.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. And BTW, I save for retirement, too. God bless. : )
But, maybe the Cardinal's earned it. After all, that gay outreach he is pushing has been a real positive for the Church.
Hey! It's been quite awhile since you Catholic freepers have dragged out the good ol' "B-word" to do your fighting for you!! Did Maxine Waters learn her techniques from you guys?
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