Lay Group Criticises Amount Spent on Bishop's Residence

Irish News
September 17, 2014

http://www.irishnews.com/news/lay-group-criticises-amount-spent-on-bishop-s-residence-1380538

A LAY group which campaigns for change in the Catholic Church has criticised the amount of money spent on a bishop's residence and diocesan offices in north Belfast.

Voice of the Faithful said the decision to carry out an estimated ?1 million-plus on refurbishing Lisbreen House had highlighted the "lack of transparency in the Church - especially in financial matters".

Yesterday The Irish News revealed that an estimated seven-figure sum - including ?300,000 of government funding - has been spent revamping the 15,000 sq ft Lisbreen House over the past two years.

It is home to Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor and also houses diocesan offices.

The work attracted attention because of the length of time it took as well as the erection of elaborate entrance gates.

In an interview with this newspaper, Dr Treanor defended the massive spend on upgrading the property, which is "listed both outside and inside".

He said the work was done for "future generations" as well as a "contribution to the economy in a difficult time".

While a DoE grant of ?303,550 and the "generous bequests from two donors" have financed the project, it remained unclear last night exactly how much money has been spent on the renovation.

Despite repeated requests, Dr Treanor has been unable to provide a total cost for the building project.

He said the work was needed after structural surveys showed Lisbreen "was badly in need of restoration, refurbishment".

Victims campaigner Margaret McGuckin had criticised the "extravagance" of Dr Treanor in the renovation and several callers to The Irish News yesterday also expressed concern that government money had been used in the refurbishment.

Last night Voice of the Faithful spokesman Sean O'Conaill criticised the major spend at the Somerton Road site.

"This all speaks to the issue of transparency. Perhaps the bishop should have been more transparent," he said.

"There is a refugee crisis going on as well as the plight of those seeking asylum in Ireland and we have this going on. If the Church is to be convincing it needs to be frugal with its own expenditure.

"We are simply not getting transparency of financial issues within the Church. High gates and fences all speak of secrecy in the Church, which has already done such damage.

"Bishop Treanor emphasises his concern to deepen faith.

"Has he not yet realised that secrecy, lack of transparency in the Church - especially in financial matters - has done far more damage to the faith of Catholic people in Ireland in the past two decades than he could ever repair?

"He should understand now that he needs to be intensively advised by a regular synod of the priests and people of his diocese - to be sure of avoiding complete missteps of this kind.

"If canon law allows for that, why does it not happen? Faith and trust in leadership now requires it.

"If Pope Francis is ready for such initiatives, why isn't Bishop Treanor?"

* 'SECRECY' CONCERNS: Sean O'Conaill

* DEFENDED COST: Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor