The kerfuffle seems to have been started by two obnoxious Ladies of a Certain Age in Cathedral parish. One of them was on the radio this afternoon STILL berating the archbishop and saying that she was "surprised at his apology." She sounds like somebody who has never had to do business in her life.
I doubt that she has any experience in real estate, renovations, or the space and amenities required for an archbishop to do his duties.
My father was the managing partner of a large law firm for many years. It was part of his job duties to entertain clients, and that required space. It's either rent a hall or restaurant, or have a house that's large enough for hosting large groups. Given the number of visiting delegations, visiting priests, dignitaries, etc., it makes perfect sense for the abp's residence to be large enough to entertain comfortably, rather than renting a conference room at the St. Regis or the Ritz-Carlton right up the road for $$$$$. She claims she has been a member of Cathedral parish for 36 years. If so, she should know better than to aggrandize herself on the radio claiming to speak for the parishioners of the Archdiocese.
She sure as (*&^*&^%^% doesn't speak for ME.
$2.2 million is nothing these days. The property is an investment into the future for generations to come.