{"id":5958,"date":"2014-04-03T08:03:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-03T08:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/atlanta-archbishop-apologizes-for-22m-residence\/"},"modified":"2014-04-03T08:03:00","modified_gmt":"2014-04-03T08:03:00","slug":"atlanta-archbishop-apologizes-for-2-2-million-residence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2014\/04\/atlanta-archbishop-apologizes-for-2-2-million-residence\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta archbishop apologizes for $2.2 million residence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Atlanta, Ga., Apr 3, 2014 \/ 02:03 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has apologized for constructing a new $2.2 million residence, saying the plan was well-intended, but he failed to consider the example it set.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cTo all of you, I apologize sincerely and from my heart,\u201d he wrote in a March 31 column for The Georgia Bulletin, the Atlanta archdiocesan newspaper.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cOur intention was to recreate the residence I left behind, yet I know there are situations across the country where local ordinaries have abandoned their large homes, some because of financial necessity and others by choice, and they continue to find ways to interact with the families in their pastoral care without the perception, real or imagined, of lavish lifestyles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe archbishop became the target of criticism for constructing the 6,200 square foot mansion, paid for through a bequest from Joseph Mitchell, the nephew and heir of \u201cGone with the Wind\u201d author Margaret Mitchell.<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Gregory said he had agreed to sell his original residence to the Cathedral of Christ the King so that its priests could use it as their rectory. He had thought that refusing to give up this residence would be perceived as \u201cselfish and arrogant\u201d by the cathedral\u2019s parishioners.<\/p>\n

\tIn his search for a new residence, he said, \u201cI took my eye off the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe planned to build the same kind of facility as his previous residence, with separate living quarters and common spaces, a large kitchen for catering, and room for receptions and other gatherings.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWhat we didn\u2019t stop to consider, and that oversight rests with me and me alone, was that the world and the Church have changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Gregory noted that even before Pope Francis\u2019 election, bishops \u201cwere reminded by our own failings and frailty that we are called to live more simply, more humbly, and more like Jesus Christ who challenges us to be in the world and not of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe example of the Holy Father, and the way people of every sector of our society have responded to his message of gentle joy and compassion without pretense, has set the bar for every Catholic and even for many who don\u2019t share our communion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe said that although he and his advisors were able to justify this project, \u201cI personally failed to project the cost in terms of my own integrity and pastoral credibility with the people of God of north and central Georgia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe also said he failed to consider that he had placed his auxiliary bishops, priests, and others in a \u201cdifficult position\u201d to respond to criticisms and inquiries from the Catholic faithful.<\/p>\n

\tArchbishop Gregory opened his column with an email from a Catholic mother who said she was \u201cdisturbed and disappointed to see our church leaders not setting the example of a simple life as Pope Francis calls for.\u201d She said the archbishop was \u201cliving extravagantly\u201d and that her teenage sons did not understand \u201cthe message you are portraying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe archbishop said, \u201cI failed to consider the example I was setting\u201d for the woman\u2019s sons. He said such indictments are \u201cstinging and sincere,\u201d adding, \u201cI should have seen them coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe also apologized to those who might have hesitated to advise against the plan \u201cperhaps out of deference or other concerns.\u201d He said he intends \u201cto do a better job of listening than I did before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe said he will meet with the archdiocese\u2019s Council of Priests and its pastoral council and he will consult the archdiocese\u2019s finance council to seek \u201ctheir candid guidance on how best to proceed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tIf they advise to sell the new residence, he will seek to purchase or rent \u201csomething appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI promise you that my service to you is the reason I get up each day \u2013 not the house in which I live or the zip code to which my mail is sent,\u201d the archbishop\u2019s column closed.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI humbly and contritely ask your prayers for me, and I assure you, as always, of mine for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Atlanta, Ga., Apr 3, 2014 \/ 02:03 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has apologized for constructing a new $2.2 million residence, saying the plan was well-intended, but he failed to consider the example it set.<\/p>\n

\t“To all …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\nAtlanta archbishop apologizes for $2.2 million residence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Atlanta, Ga., Apr 3, 2014 \/ 02:03 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta has apologized for constructing a new $2.2 million residence, saying the plan was well-intended, but he failed to consider the example it set. “To all ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2014\/04\/atlanta-archbishop-apologizes-for-2-2-million-residence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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