"Is it standard operating procedure for new bishops to remodel their residences,..."
Can't speak to 'bishops' but have been in a few priest residences; the very best of whom appear to need nothing more than a fresh coat of paint - flat white - if even that.
If the bishop required some company there are a fair number of retired priests who no longer can serve in a pastoral capacity whom I suppose could accomodate this need. Seems like an odd request to me though.
If the bishop required some company there are a fair number of retired priests who no longer can serve in a pastoral capacity whom I suppose could accomodate this need. Seems like an odd request to me though.I doubt that a retired priest would fit the Bishop’s needs. My take is that he is looking for a servent who will fetch him a glass of tea and run his various errands. He needs a young guy, not a retired priest who can barely make it up and down the stairs. He could always hire for this, but really, who could be better than a priest who has already sworn obedience, and can’t readily quit?
I suspect this is why there are big objections to the idea. It wouldn’t be a big deal for a priest to live there, but still minister to his parishes nearby. It would be a big deal if that priest was so busy doing stupid chores to hear confessions or say Mass, and due to the lack of priests they had to cut the Sacraments somewhere as a result. It would also stink for the priest who was assigned to this.
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