Atlanta archbishop bows to criticism over mansion; flap may resonate in North Jersey

By Jeff Green
Record
April 2, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/news/atlanta-archbishop-bows-to-criticism-over-mansion-flap-may-resonate-in-north-jersey-1.839579

Archbishop Wilton Gregory's home in Atlanta.

In a controversy that may resonate with Catholics in North Jersey, Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory seems to have gotten the pope's message about modest living.

Days after Pope Francis permanently removed a German bishop for his lavish spending on a new residence, the Atlanta cleric apologized for building a $2.2 million mansion as his residence. He bowed to criticism from local parishioners and said he would consider selling the new home in Buckhead, Atlanta's toniest neighborhood.

In letters, emails and a meeting, local Catholics told Gregory that the price tag was outlandish, especially in light of Pope Francis' frugality. The Tudor-style mansion, stretching nearly 6,400 square feet, includes two dining rooms and a safe room. The archbishop said the new pope has "set the bar" for church leaders and others, and Gregory said he hadn't looked at the project's cost in terms of his own "integrity and pastoral credibility."

Meanwhile, Archbishop John J. Myers of Newark, who at church expense is expanding his retirement home in upscale Hunterdon County, appears determined not sell the house or halt construction, his spokesman said, even as many parishioners protest the extravagance.

Located on 8 acres in rural Franklin Township, Myers' home will be about 1,000 square feet larger than Gregory's Atlanta mansion.

The Newark Archdiocese recently announced it will close three more parochial schools, which many parishioners have seized upon in decrying the $500,000 expense of the home expansion.

"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," Gregory wrote online late Monday.

It's a challenge bishops will be facing more pointedly — and publicly — in the age of Pope Francis.

"Pope Francis is setting the example for all clergy worldwide," said Laura Mullins, an Atlanta parishioner who arranged one of the meetings with Gregory. "And if Pope Francis saw his 6,000-foot Tudor mansion and the finest amenities and details, I feel certain he would tell him to sell the home and to use the money more wisely."

In the Newark Archdiocese, parishioners criticized Myers and withheld some donations after learning of his retirement home improvement plans. The 3,000-square-foot project adds an indoor therapy pool, fireplaces and an office library.

Raul Caceres, a Teaneck parishioner who started a protest committee over the issue, said his group was moving ahead with plans to meet with the archbishop or move up the chain of command to get the pope's attention. Like Gregory, he said Myers should apologize and acknowledge his lapse in judgment.

"This archbishop realized something was not right. He listened to the parishioners of the diocese and we applaud him," Caceres said about Gregory, who was president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at the height of the clergy sex abuse crisis. "We hope the same thing can happen in Newark."

Jim Goodness, an archdiocese spokesman, declined to comment on Gregory's actions. He maintained that Myers' home expansion was "not diverting or circumventing any money going into ministry." The archdiocese plans to sell a former archbishop's residence, which will finance the project along with private donations.

Reached Tuesday night, Mullins said that while Gregory showed some humility by apologizing, Myers appeared "arrogant about the whole thing."

Both archbishops need to "follow the pope and the parishioners in the pews," she said.

Last week, Pope Francis removed German bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst after he spent $43 million on a new residence and related renovations.

Gregory said that if the financial and other internal church councils advise him to sell his new home, he will do so and move somewhere else.

This article contains material from The Associated Press.