Archbishop to vacate $2.2M Buckhead home

By Staff Reports
Neighbor Newspapers
April 5, 2014

http://neighbornewspapers.com/view/full_story/24881309/article-Archbishop-to-vacate-$2-2M-Buckhead-home?instance=all

After being criticized for living in a $2.2 million home in Buckhead, Atlanta Roman Catholic Archbishop Wilton Gregory announced Saturday he will vacate his residence in early May and move into another available Archdiocesan property.

Gregory was criticized for living lavishly despite Pope Francis’ call to live more frugally. The archdiocese recently received $15 million from the estate of Joseph Mitchell, nephew of “Gone with the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell, and chose to spend some of it for Gregory’s home.

“After consultation with the members who were available to attend from the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, Archdiocesan Finance Council, and the Council of Priests and hundreds of well-meaning parishioners of differing points of view some who sent written observations, as well as my own personal reflection and prayer, I have decided to sell the Habersham [Road] property and invest the proceeds from that sale into the needs of the Catholic community,” Gregory said in a statement. “In early May, I will vacate the house. At this time we are considering a number of locations including another Archdiocesan property excluding the former residence.

“I want to thank those parishioners whose prayers, counsel and concern brought this issue to light and ensured that their archbishop was properly attuned to the important symbolism of simple actions and the challenges faced by many of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. We are now at the close of the Lenten season preparing for Easter. I pray for the peace of our Lord to be in our hearts, in our families, and in our world.”