Denver archdiocese defends new $6.5 million meeting center, residence for archbishop
April 07, 2014
The Archdiocese of Denver had defended plans for a $6.5 million construction project to build an archdiocesan center and a new residence for Archbishop Samuel Aquila.
The Holy Trinity Center project will include meetings spaces and residences for other clerics as well as the new residence for the archbishop. As spokeswoman for the archdiocese said that a new facility is needed because the existing space at the John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization is “bursting at the seams.”
Questions about the Denver archdiocesan spending plans were raised after Atlanta’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory apologized for spending over $2 million on a new residence; Archbishop Gregory has subsequently said that he will sell the new building and use the profits to fund other work of the archdiocese.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: unum -
Apr. 09, 2014 10:32 AM ET USA
"The residences on the second floor of the center will account for 20 percent of the project's total cost, the archdiocese said. Besides Aquila's home, the center will provide apartments for two other priests and two guest rooms for seminary and archdiocese visitors." $1.2 million plus for a rectory? Just asking!
-
Posted by: -
Apr. 08, 2014 1:03 PM ET USA
Yo, jimpoc, I agree with you, and so would Jesus, who said that we would always have the poor with us. Jesus accepted the expensive spikenard ointment after the traitor criticized the offering. Those today who are criticizing the Church on the cost of building can't do so without also thinking that the cost for all previous cathedrals, even St. Peter's basilica and the entire Vatican, was wasted money. As for me, I choose Jesus, not Judas.
-
Posted by: jimpoc8837 -
Apr. 08, 2014 11:31 AM ET USA
Rash judgement is a sin. I would wait to see the actual plans before criticizing. Denver archdiocese has a thriving vocations program. Bishop Chaput had to enlarge the seminary to accommodate the flood of vocations. I would be inclined to think this is a much needed facility, not - a lavish residence and will not be a "Bishop Bling" mansion.
-
Posted by: hartwood01 -
Apr. 07, 2014 11:29 PM ET USA
I wonder what Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day would have done had someone handed them $6.5 million? It would be nice to think the clerical residences are as spare as a monk's cell.
-
Posted by: Defender -
Apr. 07, 2014 8:57 PM ET USA
Glad to hear that so many archdioceses and dioceses have so much money to spend - guess the jobless, homeless, hungry and Catholic school children have all their needs met.
-
Posted by: jg23753479 -
Apr. 07, 2014 6:53 PM ET USA
Time for the Denver archbishop to spend a thousand or two of his own cash and to take a quick trip to Rome. While there he can perhaps inspect the digs of Pope Francis and get an architectural idea or two. Who knows, maybe the pope will take him for a spin in his car and give Aquila a chance to explore with him his notions of proper episcopal living arrangements.
