CNN: The lavish homes of American archbishops

[Tommy999]

Diocesan Priests do NOT take a vow of poverty. Only Religious Order priests do (and not all of them). Priest make very little money, unless they are also college professors, etc. What a diocesan priest chooses to spend his money on is his business. Not ours.

Just because he saves his money and buys a nice car or watch doesn’t mean he’s not holy. Also, how do you know his parents or siblings didn’t buy it for him?!?!

Diocesan Priests typically range between only $18,000 to $30,000 based on where they live, and Bishops average around $25,000

They make basically nothing. The least we can do as laity for their sacrifice is let them live in a comfortable place where they live with human dignity. It shouldn’t be like a jail or ****** dorm room.

See this from 2007
catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/knowledge/2007/10-01/how-much-money-does-a-parish-priest-make

This is from 2012
m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1204870

Hi phil19034,
Thanks for the links about the average salaries of clergy. Very eye-opening. I had no idea what they made until I saw that. Sounds like the vast majority of clergy serve God as a true calling and not as a vocation through which they would expect to make a lot of money, and those who do make a lot of money are truly in the minority. I’ve always respected the average clergyman for his dedication but even more so now.

 

[PolarGuy]

The residences are a disgrace and the article is not a “smear job” nor is it anti-Catholicism.

I live in a diocese where the archbishop lives in a 5000+ square foot opulent residence and it is now getting a 3000 square foot addition that includes a hot tub.

I’m sure the archbishop needs that hot tub for his spiritual retreats…

…when the poor of our archdiocese are suffering.

What kinds of signals are we sending to others by the bishops leading such lavish lifestyles?

 

[Magdalena59]

Smear job by CNN
Just look at the vitriolic comments by CNN’s readers.

Sometimes I think the comments are one of the reasons CNN prints these articles. They draw attention and people can say all kinds of horrible things.

This CNN article is ridiculous. The Bishops mentioned didn’t just build new homes. These were bought a long time ago, when real estate was much cheaper.

The Bishop homes are often used for fundraising and where visitors from the Vatican stay when in town.

Also, the homes are often used as an investment and sold when the diocese is in need (I.e. the Archdioceses of Boston and Philadelphia both sold theirs to help the archdiocese with money.

Finally, it’s not like the Bishops have the whole house for their personal usage. Often, they just have a small apartment or bed room in the house for themselves, much like priests. And often (not always) it’s the home for more than just the Bishop. Retired priests and/or other bishops (auxiliary, retired, etc) may live there too.

Where’s the article about some of these Protestant “mega church pastors” who build mansions with their own money from the tons they make from their congregations?

This article is really just anti-Catholicism.

 

[Magdalena59]

Honestly, I have come to the conclusion that most rectories should be done away with. Ours is large enough to house at least 8 priests, and currently there are only two. If they are not going to use them to the fullest then maybe we don’t need them. I do not agree with nuns, priests or bishops living in mansions and million dollar abodes. Sorry folks, but it grates me, especially when all we hear is how little money there is for the poor, education, etc.

I would rather see priests living in simple homes or in groups of 8-12 in rectories that can provide that kind of space. And I actually have a problem with the Church building Churches on top of each other; as in 2 miles apart or even 5 miles apart. I don’t think that should happen. It is this type of move that made my Parish poor while the one built after it became the “wealthy Parish.”

We are not supposed to put our Pastors on a pedestal. There is no reason that living quarters for them need to be high priced mansions the rest of us could never afford. They could even live in one bedroom apartments. So, I am among those critical of the lavish lifestyles some seem to live. I think Christ would be critical also.

Our bishop lives in a large old home also and I don’t have any problem with it because he only gets a small apartment in the home. Many people have said things as they look on from the outside as to the size of the home but as I have come to know people who work there I have learned that most all of the building is offices for the different Catholic organizations in our area.

You can’t judge a home by the outside and you certainly can’t trust CNN.

 

[Dwyer]

No News articles from Media about the lavish homes of the CEOs and Corporate Officers, the TV and Newspaper Media Barons, the Anglican Bishops and Evangelical and Pentecostal Protestant ministers, or the Rabbis; just the Catholic Bishops only.

The News Media sure chooses its target.

 

[Bonnie]

The Bishops mentioned didn’t just build new homes.

Then they just didn’t look hard enough. In the city where I used to live, the archbishops lived in modest housing. Then one of them (I won’t mention names) wanted to be closer to the Cathedral, so he had the top floor of the attached convent (sisters long gone) remodeled into living quarters. I saw them - not overly large, but lavish. The next archbishop was fine with living there and made no changes. Living right next to the Cathedral was handy.

But the 3rd archbishop decided it wasn’t good enough for him. He had a huge mansion built for himself in one of the toniest parts of town. There was a lot of criticism. I have no idea what has happened to the mansion - or the archbishop - as we no longer live there.

I’m sure there have been more.

 

[adawgj]

What are the chances CNN does a story on that about rich Democrats, RINOs or the Obamas?

When I become a CNN journalist and do a story on that before someone else does.

 

[johnmann]

A lot of issues over-simplified.

Nothing wrong with the Church maintaining extravagant sacred art and architecture. If it were up to the radical secularists, the Sistine Chapel would be sold to the highest bidder.

Many bishops’ homes house multiple people and its price is largely a function of location. A humble four bedroom near St. Patrick’s in NY will cost well over $1 million.

Entertaining guests at a bishops’ residence is really a luxury and a bad excuse for living large. Cathedrals have halls for entertaining guests and offices for holding meetings. The pope may or may not visit for a couple of days once a decade and there are plenty of other places to stay (monasteries, retreat houses, seminaries, rectories). Even a hotel would be cheaper.

While it’s true that diocesan priests don’t take a vow of poverty, that doesn’t give them license to own solid gold toilets. Clergy must act responsibly with the resources they have.

We hold clergy to a different standard because they are supposed to set examples. Nobody looks to me for moral guidance, but we’re supposed to follow the successors of the apostles like Christ did the Father.

 

[TEPO]

Then they just didn’t look hard enough. In the city where I used to live, the archbishops lived in modest housing. Then one of them (I won’t mention names) wanted to be closer to the Cathedral, so he had the top floor of the attached convent (sisters long gone) remodeled into living quarters. I saw them - not overly large, but lavish. The next archbishop was fine with living there and made no changes. Living right next to the Cathedral was handy.

But the 3rd archbishop decided it wasn’t good enough for him. He had a huge mansion built for himself in one of the toniest parts of town. There was a lot of criticism. I have no idea what has happened to the mansion - or the archbishop - as we no longer live there.

I’m sure there have been more.

Thats fantastic. I hope the archbishop enjoyed the mansion… I tried the whole ‘modest’ thing for a while myself. We downgraded our home and tried to live with less -it caused problems though because with more modesty comes less square footage. We ended up stepping all over each other, messyness set in with fights and we all gave up on everything.

Im glad thats over with. Even if it means im paying twice as much.

…you know -ive learned that modesty is a complete sham. Try “minimalism” instead… Its about having nice, high quality things without all the extras… My house now looks like an immaculate model home. No clutter. Just the things we need and nothing more.
becomingminimalist.com/what-is-minimalism/

…its about high quality low volume.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Bothers me. I agree it’s likely a smear job by CNN but that doesn’t deny the reality of it. And no, they would never do this to Michael Moore. I am with Pope Francis on this one - I think it’s inappropriate and makes the Church look bad. It’s the age-old anti-Catholic stereotype. I am not saying they should live in the desert, but some humility and restraint would be nice.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Lol let’s think about this for a minute. Let’s set aside the recent bishops who have been building large homes and only consider those who live in already established large episcopal residences.

I think that if you were to ask one of those fuming at the mouth whether a bishop who lives in a large and spacious episcopal residence whether he should go buy another house just to make it look like he’s “poor and with the people” or whatever, this person would say yes. But I think that’s really silly because it prefers a rather asinine and not-based-in-reality symbol over real substance. Why sell a house if you’ve already got one that’s paid for? Plus, no house is cheap to begin with. In most places, for a bishop to go out and buy a smaller house would still cost upwards of $150k, in many other places at least twice that, just for a normal size house.

Someone will say, “Sell the episcopal residence.” HMMMM really? How many people have enough money in a given community to even begin to afford what it is worth? Perhaps some. But home markets even now in many parts of the country are laughable in terms of strength. So, in many–not all–places, I highly doubt it would make fiscal sense to sell an episcopal residence. Most people can’t afford a large house anyway, and selling it for pennies is irresponsible.

This is a rather complex situation and I can’t respect statements like, “Omg u r not ‘pastoral,’ go sell ur mansion,” when the bishop lives in a 19th century, large house in an average no-name part of the country where people couldn’t begin to imagine buying it.

Leave the bishops alone, mind your own business. I see no outrage here.

PS: ???article??? Is there some decree out there that states that bishops cannot live in houses that are worth/“worth” more than one million USD?

 

[TEPO]

“The only time you should look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough." —Louis C.K.

 

[Starrsmother]

Diocesan Priests do NOT take a vow of poverty. Only Religious Order priests do (and not all of them). Priest make very little money, unless they are also college professors, etc. What a diocesan priest chooses to spend his money on is his business. Not ours.

Just because he saves his money and buys a nice car or watch doesn’t mean he’s not holy. Also, how do you know his parents or siblings didn’t buy it for him?!?!

Diocesan Priests typically range between only $18,000 to $30,000 based on where they live, and Bishops average around $25,000

They make basically nothing. The least we can do as laity for their sacrifice is let them live in a comfortable place where they live with human dignity. It shouldn’t be like a jail or ****** dorm room.

See this from 2007
catholicdigest.com/articles/faith/knowledge/2007/10-01/how-much-money-does-a-parish-priest-make

This is from 2012
m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1204870

Vow of poverty or no vow of poverty, what would Jesus think? Or St Francis of Asissi or Saint Faustina or Pope Francis to get a little more current… What did Jesus say about the poor in the beatitudes? Hypocrisy is hypocrisy no matter how one tries to sugar coat it.

 

[phil19034]

Vow of poverty or no vow of poverty, what would Jesus think? Or St Francis of Asissi or Saint Faustina or Pope Francis to get a little more current… What did Jesus say about the poor in the beatitudes? Hypocrisy is hypocrisy no matter how one tries to sugar coat it.

It’s not like the Vatican Guesthouse that Pope Francis is some ****** place. It’s still worth millions itself.

He moved there because the Papal Apartments are isolated from the people, the Pope wanted to be surrounded by people.

I really don’t see how its Hypocrisy for someone who works 7 days a week, and 18 hours a day, 365 day a year and only makes on average $25,000 to live in a place his diocese GAVE him.

Now, if some are spending money unwisely, that’s different. But they shouldn’t be forced to sell the homes just to give more money to the poor. If someone makes that argument, then I would argue they can live in a smaller home too and donate more money to the poor and church themselves.

The only real equity most diocese have is the real estate and sometimes art. The dioceses don’t have liquid capital in the bank and many of them are facing future pension issues.

The real estate should NOT be sold until 100% necessary, because if it’s sold too early, it won’t be there if/when they REALLY need the cash.

Personally, I think Jesus and the saints would be more concerned about people making assumptions about the motives of the Bishops. Yes, there might be some who haven’t made wise judgments, but I would argue that most are focused on doing the right thing.

God Bless

 

[adawgj]

Vow of poverty or no vow of poverty, what would Jesus think? Or St Francis of Asissi or Saint Faustina or Pope Francis to get a little more current… What did Jesus say about the poor in the beatitudes? Hypocrisy is hypocrisy no matter how one tries to sugar coat it.

Really playing the WWJD card

It’s none of our business to judge other peoples homes. The Church can still help the poor and own great buildings, just like Bill Gates can help the poor and live in a mansion.

 

[YoungTradCath]

It’s not like the Vatican Guesthouse that Pope Francis is some ****** place. It’s still worth millions itself.

He moved there because the Papal Apartments are isolated from the people, the Pope wanted to be surrounded by people.

God Bless

Thank you very very very much. If anyone will take a look at the bedroom that the Pope lives in in the Guesthouse then they will realize that it isn’t some junky little hole in the wall. Look at it:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

The furniture is beautiful and no doubt extremely expensive and, while the walls don’t have brocade on them, I’m sure it could be applied quite easily. Besides, it has a rather Romanesque feel to it based on the plain walls. Also, there is a picture floating around the internet of the common area of the floor of the DSM–the floor–that the Pope lives on that shows gilded Baroque tables and marble floors.

Tbh it doesn’t bother me a bit that the Pope lives where he does. What people don’t realize is that yes, in fact, the Apostolic Palace is chock full of countless offices which house, yes, the things needed by very many Vatican offices. It’s not like the “palace” is a big open private play-pen for Popes. We have to remember that the personal quarters of the Popes are quite small. There is an apartment on the top floor with a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bedroom. You can Google image search these, they are not particularly impressive at all. Kind of boring actually. Furthermore, the term “palace” in English is a bit misleading. Palazzo in Italian can refer to any number of sorts of large buildings. There are tons of palazzos (palazzi?) in Rome housing not only Vatican offices but also Italian government offices. In the US we have the ______ Government Building (how mundane). In Italy they have the Palazzo ___ or whatever.

It is true that the library is spacious and the office is all Baroque’d-out, but so what? Does anybody want the Pope to have to have meetings with 50 ad limina bishops in a carport or meet with heads of state in a cubicle? Obviously Francis himself doesn’t. Come on now, most Americans wouldn’t do that themselves.

 

[Starrsmother]

Really playing the WWJD card

It’s none of our business to judge other peoples homes. The Church can still help the poor and own great buildings, just like Bill Gates can help the poor and live in a mansion.

`Wrong!! It is our job as Catholics to ascertain that we present an image of Christ’s church that is consistent with what Christ taught. Many church hierarchy over the centuries realized they had plugged into a graavy train and some still think they have. And PLEASE don’t tell me that you compare Bill Gates with a bishop! His old lady has donated to pay for more abortions than I thought there were pregnancies in the entire world!! PULLEASE!

 

[7_Sorrows]

If there are several people living in the home it might warrant the size. Some did seem opulent. I do admire Archbisop Chaput for selling the $10, 000, 000.00 home for the archbishop in Philadelphia. I am not a fan of CNN, but after the incident in Germany and Pope Francis speaking so much about the rich and the poor and how Pope Francis himself refusing to live in the residence where the Popes normally live,
they probably thought it would be a good topic to investigate.

 

[TEPO]

`Wrong!! It is our job as Catholics to ascertain that we present an image of Christ’s church that is consistent with what Christ taught. Many church hierarchy over the centuries realized they had plugged into a graavy train and some still think they have.

If the hierarchy were collecting things like Jay Lenos car collection, or were buying all sorts of extra merchandise cluttering things up around them like jewelry, clothes, and other extravagant items, then id be concerned -but the structure itself matters not.

You should understand what a ‘minimalist’ is. It doesnt include having junky things, just less things.

…take all the pictures off the walls and sell your end tables. Get rid of all your extras. Thats minimalism. (see the popes quarters)

 

[Teelynn]

Keep in mind… in some places the homes are very old and were built with the church. Should they sell those?

Many have meeting and social facilities on the ground floor, but the bishop lives in a few small rooms upstairs. Nothing wrong with that.

I read the article as well. Some of them they say cannot be used for anything other than what they are being used for…can’t really resell them. I think, however, they need to be prudent on ‘renovations’ and such. Fix what’s needed and forget the fluff.