The lavish homes of American archbishops

[Warren Stupidity]

A CNN investigation found that at least 10 of the 34 active archbishops in the United States live in buildings worth more than $1 million, according to church and government records.*
That's not counting hundreds of retired and active Catholic bishops in smaller cities, some of whom live equally large.
Among archbishops, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York leads the pack with this 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, in one of the priciest corridors of Manhattan.

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/08/us/american-archbishops-lavish-homes/

I'm sure there is some reason why this is just fine and any objections are rabid anti-catholic bigotry.

[Arugula Latte]

1. The RCC - what a racket.

[NeoGreen]

2. Every last cent...

and

[PeaceNikki]

3. And these fuckers literally hide millions and declare bankruptcy to keep $ from victims of abuse.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/what-the-church-documents-reveal-b9947711z1-216238291.html

Timothy Dolan is literally one of the shittiest pieces of shit and any pope who doesn't rid the RCC of him is a fucking sham.

If anyone reading this has not seen "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God" - you must. It's awful and terrifying, but it's a must see. Living and growing up in the Milwaukee area, this history is well-known.

FUCK Timothy Dolan.

[skepticscott]

4. Yeah, but...but...

Zero Tolerance!!

[PeaceNikki]

5. And Francis doesn't even wear Prada shoes, ffs!!

[onager]

6. Pshaw! Prada was WAY too down-market.

Pope 'Umble's immediate predecessors wore shoes custom-made by Adriano Stefanelli in Rome.

A few years ago, you could have your very own pair of Stefanelli shoes. They came absolutely FREE with your purchase of a Pagani Zonda roadster. For a mere $1.3 million.

You also got a set of luggage which, like the shoes, matched the Zonda's interior. So as somebody In Another Group snarked at me when I mentioned this - your Stefanelli shoes would only match the Pope's if you ordered a car with a bright red interior.

The current Pope wears plain brown shoes from Poland. Or so I'm told by his fans on the Internetz.

ETA - glad you mentioned "Mea Maxima Culpa." It's great but as you say disturbing - not only abuse of kids, but the most vulnerable of kids. If you haven't seen "Deliver Us From Evil," that's another great documentary. Not to be confused with the horror movie of the same name.

[mountain grammy]

7. What a life, and all tax free!

TAX THE CHURCH!!!!

[Curmudgeoness]

8. It is way past time to start taxing these businesses.

Yes, they are businesses. And it isn't just the RCC. Look at the new breed of televangelists with their millions and churches worth even more. They could be like individuals, where if you donate directly toward charity---and I mean soup kitchens or food pantries or medical assistance to the poor---you can deduct that amount from your income. And that is the most I would be willing to give them.

[kickysnana]

9. I am amazed at the varying cost of real estate around the US.

A shack on a beach in California is 1.5mil and very nice house in a smaller southern city is $199k.

I have no idea what they do but with power comes a need for a certain lifestyle, not just in the church, Atheist leaders, politicians, entertainers even non-profit presidents. This is America after all image is everything.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. That piece of property on madison avenue in Manhattan is valued at around 30m.

And of course it is off the tax roles.

[Heddi]

11. THESE ARE NOT LAVISH. THIS IS MEAGER LIFE. WHY YOU HATE?

WHAT ABOUT OTHER NONPROFITS? WHERE THE GOVERMENT DOESN'T WORK?> WHAT ABOT THEM? HUH WHAT ABOUT OTHER NON PROFITS THIS IS MEAGER LIVING THIS IS NOT LAVISH WHAT AOUBT NONPROFITS LIKE OTHER THING HUH WHAT ABOUT HEMT?

[progressoid]

14. ...

[Heddi]

12. OF COURSE IT EXPENSAVE. THIS NEWYORK. IN OTHE RPLACES THIS

HOUSE BE LIKE 76 dollERs so NOT LAVISH STOP SAYING THATAND DID YOU THINK ABOUT IF YOU TOOK AWAY TAX FREE FOR ALL NO PROFITS LIKE SHELTER HUH WHAT ABOU TTHAT OH YEAH

[Warren Stupidity]

13. ow. just ow.

[onager]

16. OK, which one of you Satanists invoked our favorite demon?

Howdy stranger! Great to see you again.

[Gelliebeans]

15. Must be nice

[Act_of_Reparation]

17. Frankie's "simple" guestroom looks more comfortable than my brother's NYC apartment.

The only reason it doesn't seem so fucked up is because these other residences are so ostentatious by comparison.

[Goblinmonger]

18. Well, they don't own those houses

so it's like they are basically homeless.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. It is just a place where homeless bishops can shower and shave.

[Arugula Latte]

20. And just a place to rest up.

Ya know, they need to rest because they've got busy lives, telling everybody else how to live and what they can and can't do with their own bodies.