Church "Revisting" Plans to Move Priests, Still Intends to Move Forward

By Michell Eloy
WABE
April 19, 2014

http://wabe.org/post/church-revisting-plans-move-priests-still-intends-move-forward

[with audio]

Atlanta Archdiocese Bishop Wilton Gregory presides over mass at Christ the King Catholic Church in Buckhead earlier this year.

Christ the King Catholic Church spokesperson Dave Fitzgerald said the church is taking a second look at its plans to move six of its priests into the home, but said the church still intends to move forward.

“We’re convinced that everything we plan to do to the property is in accordance with all city codes,” Fitzgerald said," adding later that new attention to the issue prompted the church to "revisit" its plans.

But some area residents disagree.

According to news reports, some residents say the church’s plans don’t comply with zoning laws for an area that’s predominantly single-family homes.

Christ the King bought the house from the archdiocese for about $1.9 million with the intent of renovating it to house its priests.

The archdiocese had owned the Buckhead house for decades prior to selling it to Christ the King.

Calls to an attorney representing some of the neighbors were not returned before airtime.

Controversy about that home comes after concern a separate archdiocese residence.

The controversy broke out last month after news Archbishop Gregory had spent $2.2 million of willed money to renovate a new archbishop residence.