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The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 8:51am On Aug 03, 2014
"How I would like a Church which is
poor and for the poor!"— Pope
Francis
Clearly, "lifestyles of the rich and
religious" doesn't cut it for Pope
Francis.
The pontiff has said it "breaks my heart"
to see priests and nuns driving the latest-
model cars.
He's blasted "airport bishops" who spend
more time jet-setting than tending to their
flocks.
And he's warned against church leaders
who bear the "psychology of princes."
The Vatican fired one such "prince" last
year: German Bishop Franz-Peter
Tebartz-van Elst -- aka "The Bishop
of Bling" -- who spent $43 million to
remodel his opulent pad.
(Bronze window frames? $2.4 million.
Getting on the wrong side of the Pope?
Far more pricey.)
"God save us from a worldly Church
with superficial spiritual and pastoral
trappings!" Francis said in his book-
length blueprint for the church .
Say what you will, but this Pope puts
his preaching into practice.

16 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 8:53am On Aug 03, 2014
Among archbishops, Cardinal Timothy
Dolan of New York leads the pack
with this 15,000-square-foot mansion on
Madison Avenue, in one of the priciest
corridors of Manhattan.
Vanderbilt Appraisal Company, a New
York firm hired by CNN to estimate the
building's value, said it's worth at least
$30 million . Dolan shares the neo-
Gothic mansion, which is reportedly filled
with thick red carpets and priceless
antiques, with three other priests.

1 Like

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:07am On Aug 03, 2014
Chicago's Cardinal Francis
George lives in a pretty fancy crib, too.
This mansion has 19 chimneys and sits on
1.7 acres of prime real estate in
Chicago's ritzy Gold Coast neighborhood.
It's worth $14.3 million "as is," but
the property could fetch far more,
appraisers told CNN.
George, whose private quarters occupy
the mansion's top two floors, according to
the archdiocese, shares the residence with
two bishops and a priest.
Three nuns who care for the cardinal
and his mansion live in a 5,800-square-
foot coach house near the main residence.
The mansion's size, architectural details,
location and unobstructed view of nearby
Lincoln Park make the residence "one of
a kind," said Thomas Schurer, director
of sales for Chicago's Real Valuation
Services, which appraised George's
residence for CNN.
Representatives for Cardinals Dolan and
George point out that their mansions
were built more than 100 years ago and
are used as offices and for hosting guests
and fundraisers as well as residences.
They also say the mansions are historical
landmarks and can't easily be sold or
converted to other uses.
A century ago, Catholics celebrated the
success of their church in the United
States by building mansions for their
archbishops, historians say. It was a way
of saying, "We've made it, and we're
here to stay."
But the point has been proved, some
Catholics say, and Pope Francis has
urged archbishops to refocus their
resources on caring for the poor and
marginalized.
"There's no reason a bishop has to live
like a prince or medieval monarch, even
if he inherited the place from his
predecessor," said the Rev. Steven
Avella, a Catholic priest and professor of
religious history at Marquette
University. "They should convert the
mansions to museums and move into
rectories."
In addition to regal residences, many
archbishops acquire other perks: live-in
assistants, housekeepers, chauffeurs and
cooks. Others live alone in roomy
residences.

2 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:09am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop James Sartain of
Seattle , for example, lives by himself in
this three-story house. The appraised
value is $3.84 million , according to
the King County Department of
Assessments.

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:13am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop Leonard Blair of
Hartford, Connecticut , lives in this
nearly 9,000- square-foot mansion,
which was appraised at $1.85
million , according to government
records.

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:24am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of
Miami lives with his secretary, a priest,
in this six-bedroom, six-bath house. A
tiki hut and pool in the backyard overlook
Biscayne Bay.
The 5,350-square-foot residence is
worth more than $1.38 million ,
according to Miami-Dade County
assessors.
This castle-like mansion, once featured
in an article on the "Palaces of St.
Louis," is home to St. Louis

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:26am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop Robert Carlson .
The 11,000-square-foot home, which
Carlson shares with a priest-secretary, is
worth $1.4 million , city appraisers
say. Two nuns also live on the property,
but not in the house, and cook and clean
for the archbishop. In 2008, Carlson also
bought a house in Estero, Florida, for
$327,500, according to public records.

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:27am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop William Lori's home
in Baltimore dates back to the very
first bishop in the United States, John
Carroll, historians say.
The 11,500-square-foot building, where
the archbishop lives with his priest-
secretary and the rector of the Baltimore
Basilica, is connected to the historic
basilica by a passthrough. The Maryland
Department of Assessment and Taxation
says the residence, which includes offices
for Lori and the rector of the basilica, is
worth about $1.24 million .

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:29am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
of San Antonio lives in this 5,000-
square-foot residence, which includes a
courtyard, a private chapel, a fireplace
and a wet bar.
The residence was built by Garcia-
Siller's predecessor in 2009 for $1.1
million . At the time, the archdiocese
was facing a budget shortfall that resulted
in the firing of 11 full-time employees,
according to the San Antonio Express-
News.
In addition to the above examples, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
spent $7 million building a 26,000-
square-foot rectory for its former
archbishop in 2002, according to public
records. Archbishop Jose Gomez, who
moved to Los Angeles in 2010, now lives
there with six priests.

1 Like

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:37am On Aug 03, 2014
The Archdiocese of Denver is
building a $6.5 million, 13,500-square-
foot center that will include meeting
space, a kitchen, a library, a chapel and
an apartment for Archbishop Samuel
Aquila. The residence portion, which
includes living space for several other
priests, will cost about $1.3 million ,
according to the archdiocese.
Even in smaller cities, some archbishops
live in houses few in their flock could
likely afford.

2 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 9:55am On Aug 03, 2014
Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of
Cincinnati , for example, lives by
himself in a four-bedroom, four-bath
house in Hamilton County, Ohio.
The archdiocese bought this house for
Schnurr in 2009 for $469,718 , which
led to some grumbling by local Catholics .
In response to questions about
archbishops' residences, representatives
for the church leaders say they are used
as more than living quarters. They also
have offices, host functions like
fundraisers and house church staff besides
bishops.
That's the case with Dolan's mansion,
which connects to St. Patrick's
Cathedral, said Joseph Zwilling,
spokesman for the Archdiocese of New
York. Besides, it's on the National
Register of Historic Places, which
means it can't easily be sold or converted
to other uses, he said.
"Even if, in your wildest imaginations,
you could dream up a scenario in which
the archdiocese would want to sell it, it
couldn't be sold since it is a landmarked
building and has to remain as-is,"
Zwilling said.
Dolan has acknowledged, however, that
Pope Francis' example has led him to
question "the perks, the cushiness, we
associate with being a bishop."
"I find myself examining my own
conscience ... on style, on simplicity, on
lots of things," he told National Catholic
Reporter last year. "I also find myself
thinking about living arrangements,
because that's a pretty nice house I'm
living in."
Zwilling said he's not aware of any
discussions about Dolan moving out of his
mansion.
As for George, he floated the idea of
selling his Chicago residence in 2002,
saying, according to the New York
Times, "How can I call on my priests to
display humility in their lives if I'm
living in a mansion like that?"
Colleen Dolan, a spokeswoman for the
Archdiocese of Chicago, said she's not
aware of any discussions about George
selling or leaving the mansion.
"The cardinal uses the building for
meetings and receptions with donors,"
Dolan said, "and we'd be hard-pressed
to find any other place that could serve
those purposes."
Catholics are a generous lot, said Sister
Sally Butler, a Catholic nun who
ministers in Brooklyn housing projects
and has clashed with bishops over their
response to the church's sexual abuse
scandal. But they expect their donations
to pay for missions like feeding the poor,
training priests and educating students,
not keeping up multimillion-dollar estates,
she said.
Like many Catholics, Butler said she is
particularly galled by revelations that
Archbishop John Myers of
Newark, New Jersey, is spending
$500,000 to add a wing to his
already $800,000 weekend/retirement
house. The new wing will include an
indoor exercise pool, a hot tub, three
fireplaces and a library.
"It's scandalous!" said Butler, 83. "I
guess they think they're entitled to it, but
someone has to take these archbishops
aside. It's so far from the gospel message
and the Pope's example."

1 Like

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 10:00am On Aug 03, 2014
Not all bishops live like princes, however.
Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley
resides in a rundown rectory on the
South Side.
"We no longer need all the symbols of the
past, especially when those symbols now
seem ambiguous at best and a
contradiction of some of our Gospel
values at worst,'' O'Malley said when he
moved out of the archbishop's traditional
mansion in 2003.
Archbishop Alexander Sample of
Portland, Oregon , shares part of a
converted convent with his elderly
mother.
And Archbishop Charles Chaput
of Philadelphia sold the church’s $10
million mansion when he moved to town
in 2011.
"He felt it was not really necessary to
live in a residence that large," said Ken
Gavin, a spokesman for the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia. "He wanted to live
more simply."
With Pope Francis leading the way,
more archbishops may be doing the same.
After getting an earful from angry
Catholics, Atlanta Archbishop
Wilton Gregory agreed to give up his
$2.2 million mansion.
Here's the 6,000 square-foot-house,
which sits in the city's upscale Buckhead
neighborhood.
Gregory apologized for building the
mansion, calling it a lapse in judgment
and out of step with his boss, the Pope.
"What we didn't stop to consider,"
Gregory said, "was that the world and
the church have changed."

3 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 10:01am On Aug 03, 2014
Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 10:48am On Aug 03, 2014
Mod frontpage!
Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Nobody: 10:52am On Aug 03, 2014
is this where they abuse little children ?

35 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by alentyno: 11:07am On Aug 03, 2014
These houses are not the private properties of the bishops. It is owned by the diocese where they oversee and once they die or decide to resign, they vacate the place while another person comes in. So its more like a lodge---a free one @ that---to them.

NB- Thanks to the guy who mentioned me. I thought I had already lost this thread

11 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 11:33am On Aug 03, 2014
frosbel: is this where they abuse little children ?

at least they have the pride of honour to own up that they own the houses unlike pentecotal MOGs that hide billions they collected as tithes in private business and even abroad!

53 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Rich4god(m): 12:18pm On Aug 03, 2014
frosbel: is this where they abuse little children ?
If this should come from any one, it shouldnt be from you... It negates thereal Christ you claim to follow...


To add something here... This is not the private home of the archbishops... Its owned by the catholic diocese of those areas. So anytime the bishop dies or resign, he vacates the place and the next bishop comes in... So what the fuses about. Its like saying the vatican is the private property of the pope whilst it belongs to the church in general.

51 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Nobody: 12:20pm On Aug 03, 2014
Rich4god: If this should come from any one, it shouldnt be from you... It negates thereal Christ you claim to follow...

not sure why I said it. It was meant to be a Joke. grin

5 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 12:32pm On Aug 03, 2014
frosbel:

not sure why I said it. It was meant to be a Joke. grin

you don't joke with religion and things of God bro! the ties run deep. I am a catholic but yet I brought up this issue because It is not right! evil flourish when the good men do nothing

26 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Nobody: 12:40pm On Aug 03, 2014
Alishachris:

you don't joke with religion and things of God bro! the ties run deep. I am a catholic but yet I brought up this issue because It is not right! ever flourish when the good men do nothing

apologies for derailing.

9 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 12:45pm On Aug 03, 2014
frosbel:

apologies for derailing.
cool fros you and me na one na

4 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Rich4god(m): 1:36pm On Aug 03, 2014
frosbel:

not sure why I said it. It was meant to be a Joke. grin
ok... Make i believe you...


CNN is wrong about the archbishop’s residence

I have a brilliant idea. Let’s sell the White House to help pay off the debt. It’s valued at more than $300 million and that would make a significant contribution. The Obamas could move into a nice townhouse, probably in the $300,000 range, within commuting distance of Washington, D.C.

I suppose some complications would arise from this plan. For security purposes, they would probably have to buy the surrounding houses or even the whole block. The president’s entourage would likely back up traffic as he is commuting downtown every day. They would also have to purchase new office space for his personal staff, and a large hall for hosting foreign dignitaries and holding functions. It also would be a shame to sell the White House to a private citizen because of its historical significance as the house and its artifacts should belong to the people of this country.

On further thought, my brilliant idea is pretty silly. It would not even be a significant contribution, since it’s only worth .000000017 of the national debt. I am glad I did not write about this idea, and I’m really glad I did not send it to CNN to be published. Daniel Burke is not so fortunate.

In a recent article, he blasted the archbishops for not following the example of Pope Francis in living in a more humble setting. I completely agree with Burke’s main point. It would be great if our church leaders chose to live in simple houses close to the people. Moreover, a few bishops have done great harm to the church by their extravagant spending, most famously German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst.

In Burke’s article, Archbishop William Lori is mentioned because his residence is valued at $1.24 million. In this case, Burke fails to make some important distinctions. The archbishop’s house was not purchased by Archbishop Lori; it first served as the archbishop’s residence in 1832. In other words, Archbishop Lori paid nothing for it. It’s a free building for the church. It would, however, cost money if the spiritual shepherd of the Archdiocese of Baltimore wanted to buy a smaller, more humble residence.

Archbishop Lori's residence. (Tom McCarthy Jr. | CR Staff)

Second, it is not just a home for the archbishop. The article states that the rector of the Basilica and secretary of the archbishop also live there. It also has work spaces for them, meeting rooms, a place for receptions and a chapel. It is a functional building for ordinary Catholics to use in addition to the archbishop. If you want to meet the rector to plan a wedding in the Basilica, that’s where you’ll go. If there’s a small reception after a Mass at the Basilica, that’s where you’ll have it.

According to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the basilica deed prohibits the sale of the residence. Even if it could be sold, it’s a historical building with limited appeal outside of the church. Moreover, it is attached to the Basilica. Think of all the expensive renovations to separate the house from the church. It would make zero economic sense to sell it and buy another property.

Lastly, the building has a deep spiritual legacy. It was the cradle of Catholicism in the United States. According to the current rector, “In this house the Bishops of the United States met to commission the writing of the Baltimore Catechism, opened the Catholic School System and established the Catholic University of America. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the chapel and through the years the Archbishops of Baltimore have welcomed guests to the chapel including Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.”

Think of all the saints who have come through its doors and prayed in that house. Its history is too rich to give it away.

Of all of the church leaders cited in the CNN article, guess who lives in the most expensive residence? Surprise, it’s Pope Francis. Of course, Burke misses this point. His “residence” cost $20 million to build in the 1990s. However, it is a massive dormitory with over a 100 rooms; clearly it’s not used just for him. Citing straight numbers without an explanation, you see, can be confusing.

As I said, I am glad the press is holding the church accountable. I am grateful that they have uncovered bishops who have spent money donated by the people for expensive and unfulfilling projects. However, I do not approve of sloppy journalism that makes generalizations about the archbishops of the United States, completely ignoring the nuances of the matter. Burke seems more intent on insulting Catholics than holding bishops accountable.

I believe that Archbishop Lori’s residence is free, highly-functional and a home with a unique spiritual legacy. As a local Catholic who makes a weekly financial contribution to the church, I am pleased that he has access to it, and I would protest any movement that tries to pressure him to vacate it.

http://www.catholicreview.org/blogs/fertile-soil/2014/08/08/cnn-is-wrong-about-the-archbishops-residence

12 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Darteyyyy(m): 1:47pm On Aug 03, 2014
Chai... No wonder Dominic wanted to be a reverend father.

3 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 5:58pm On Aug 03, 2014
Darteyyyy: Chai... No wonder Dominic wanted to be a reverend father.

nothing wrong with what they are doing actually just that it is misplaced prioritoes

3 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Lucasbalo(m): 8:36pm On Aug 03, 2014
Alishachris: Chicago's Cardinal Francis
George lives in a pretty fancy crib, too.
This mansion has 19 chimneys and sits on
1.7 acres of prime real estate in
Chicago's ritzy Gold Coast neighborhood.
It's worth $14.3 million "as is," but
the property could fetch far more,
appraisers told CNN.
George, whose private quarters occupy
the mansion's top two floors, according to
the archdiocese, shares the residence with
two bishops and a priest.
Three nuns who care for the cardinal
and his mansion live in a 5,800-square-
foot coach house near the main residence.
The mansion's size, architectural details,
location and unobstructed view of nearby
Lincoln Park make the residence "one of
a kind," said Thomas Schurer, director
of sales for Chicago's Real Valuation
Services, which appraised George's
residence for CNN.
Representatives for Cardinals Dolan and
George point out that their mansions
were built more than 100 years ago and
are used as offices and for hosting guests
and fundraisers as well as residences.
They also say the mansions are historical
landmarks and can't easily be sold or
converted to other uses.
A century ago, Catholics celebrated the
success of their church in the United
States by building mansions for their
archbishops, historians say. It was a way
of saying, "We've made it, and we're
here to stay."
But the point has been proved, some
Catholics say, and Pope Francis has
urged archbishops to refocus their
resources on caring for the poor and
marginalized.
"There's no reason a bishop has to live
like a prince or medieval monarch, even
if he inherited the place from his
predecessor," said the Rev. Steven
Avella, a Catholic priest and professor of
religious history at Marquette
University. "They should convert the
mansions to museums and move into
rectories."
In addition to regal residences, many
archbishops acquire other perks: live-in
assistants, housekeepers, chauffeurs and
cooks. Others live alone in roomy
residences.
I know that particular mansion on state street and North avenue . That's a gothic mansion and every time I drive by there, it amazes me while all that opulence is necessary. By the way, that mansion is in Gold Coast which is the priciest neighborhood in Chitown .

3 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by MiguelMi6(m): 10:43pm On Aug 03, 2014
Some have misplaced priorities,others just enjoy what they have,its part of their rewards.The Bible makes it known that Jesus wasn't poor,he could afford the very best fleet of ships,he could afford to make reservations for the upper chamber-a mordern day presidential suite,his garments was even prophesied to be beautiful and priceless for the centurions to cast a lot for its possession.This is just a few,the Bible can tell you more.

I think extravagancy of some of them is the major problem,they flourish instead of rendering back to their flock.His Holiness Pope Bergoglio is trying so hard to show true virtues of leadership,a first ever for any Pope-Members first above your own needs and care.Christ exhibited that.

3 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Alishachris: 10:36am On Aug 10, 2014
MiguelMi6: Some have misplaced priorities,others just enjoy what they have,its part of their rewards.The Bible makes it known that Jesus wasn't poor,he could afford the very best fleet of ships,he could afford to make reservations for the upper chamber-a mordern day presidential suite,lhis garments was even prophesied to be beautiful and priceless for the centurions to cast a lot for its possession.This is just a few,the Bible can tell you more.

I think extravagancy of some of them is the major problem,they flourish instead of rendering back to their flock.His Holiness Pope Bergoglio is trying so hard to show true virtues of leadership,a first ever for any Pope-Members first above your own needs and care.Christ exhibited that.

okay
Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Babyboy1986(m): 10:22pm On Aug 20, 2014
Hmmmm, Dere's God oo.
Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by Ebukabauer(m): 10:22pm On Aug 20, 2014
.
Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by zeelo2014: 10:22pm On Aug 20, 2014
Nigerians nko
Ayo Oritsejafor

15 Likes

Re: The Lavish Homes Of American Archbishops! (pictures) by natureblack(m): 10:23pm On Aug 20, 2014
Religion

2 Likes

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