Purchase of $300,000 home for auxiliary bishop criticized
July 23, 2010
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The Diocese of Joliet is receiving criticism over its decision to purchase a four-bedroom, $300,000 home for Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Siegel. The property is located in an exclusive neighborhood; the median sale price for a home in Joliet this spring was $129,500.
It is “traditional that the bishop would live in a residence where he would hold and host events,” said diocesan spokesman Doug Delaney said. One of the bedrooms will be converted into a chapel.
“The market is low,” he added, “and this was seen as somewhat as an investment by the diocese.”
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Jul. 25, 2010 11:41 PM ET USA
Catholics in the diocese of Joliet must be asking themselves, well if the diocese is well-off enough to give an auxiliary bishop such a splendid home, do they need my meager offering?
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Jul. 24, 2010 5:23 PM ET USA
Hartford's comments here makes a lot of sense to me. (Also, why do we not hear more about the bishops Hartford mentioned who ARE folowing in the footateps of the Apostles?) The Apostles are the models for the Bishops...they were not living in excusive neighborhoods hosting 'events'...worshiping in private chapels...they were evangilizing and SERVING the poor at Jesus commanded. Please pray for our bishops that their eyes will be opened to return to the role Jesus Himself gave them.
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Posted by: Don Vicente -
Jul. 24, 2010 5:02 PM ET USA
Would anybody be scandalized at the news that the Diocese of Joliet had purchased an investment bond for $300K? Nope, it would be a snooze. So they purchase a piece of real estate which, unlike a bond, can be used as a residence for a bishop and for diocesan functions. Sounds like good stewardship to me.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Jul. 23, 2010 9:04 PM ET USA
The bishop out to take a page from Bishop Zubic's (Pittsburgh Diocese) book. He sold the Bishop's residence in an upscale neighborhood and moved in with the seminarians at St.Paul's monastery,I believe. Or Cardinal DiNardo in Houston, who lives on the campus of St.Mary's seminary.
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Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Jul. 23, 2010 6:24 PM ET USA
Where's the beef? Doug Delaney's remarks provide a remarkably generous elucidation of the "issue". Men of goodwill will respond accordingly.
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Posted by: BobJ70777069 -
Jul. 23, 2010 3:29 PM ET USA
I don't know the Joliet market, but $300,000 won't buy much of a house in the suburbs of New York. The median may be $129,000, but that's halfway between the highest and the lowest. What is the average? I'll bet it's pretty close to $300,000.
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Posted by: opraem -
Jul. 23, 2010 9:39 AM ET USA
so much for the preferential option for the poor.
