The Archbishop of Atlanta’s Roman Catholic Diocese has
been put on the defensive after it was revealed he built a multimillion dollar
mansion for himself using church funds.
Archbishop Wilton Gregory’s $2.2million, 6,000-plus
square foot palace has become a point of contention among parishioners saying
it diverges from the example set by Pope Francis to live humbly.
‘They had an opportunity to be heroes, and I think it’s
sad they they made a choice that is going to cause a lot of friction,’
parishioners Marci Maurer-Nunnery told CBS Atlanta.
The manse was built on land donated by the estate of an
heir to the fortune earned by the author of Gone With The Wind, according to
reports.
The gift included millions of dollars, was worth
$15million in total and was stipulated to be used for ‘general religious and
charitable purposes.’
The archdiocese tore down the home originally on the
property in Atlanta
Neighbors include several professional athletes, CEOs and
musicians.
It was built using the proceeds from selling Gregory’s
previous home, the spokesperson claimed, but that has not made it any less
controversial.
‘The money could be better spent on parishes that don't
have that money, for children who need help going to Catholic schools,’ Laura
Mullins told CBS Atlanta.
‘We have to be very careful how we use our money to make
sure that it's used in the most purposeful way for the least among us,’ she
added to WXIA.
‘I am disappointed that, while my advisors (sic) and I
were able to justify this project fiscally, logistically and practically, I
personally failed to project the cost in terms of my own integrity and pastoral
credibility,’ he wrote in the Georgia Bulletin.
‘I failed to consider the impact on the families
throughout the Archdiocese who, though struggling to pay their mortgages,
utilities, tuition and other bills, faithfully respond year after year to my
pleas to assist with funding our ministries and services,’ he continued.
Reference:dailymail
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