Skip to content

You know about the 'Bishop of Bling' but do American clergy have the same problem too?

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes
A big house does not always make a bishop greedy or wrong, there are many factors to consider.

Pope Francis has called for "a Church which is poor and for the poor." However, not every member of the clergy may have read the memo. A number of high-ranking Church officials in the United States live in lavish homes, sometimes bordering on the scandalous.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/16/2014 (9 years ago)

Published in U.S.

Keywords: bishops, Catholic, Pope Francis, poor, Church, houses, homes

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Last year, Pope Francis made headlines by transferred Germany's "Bishop of Bling," Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, a bishop who allegedly spent millions of Euros on his own mansion and lived a lavish lifestyle.

Although the transfer was done quietly, it did not go unnoticed by bishops and cardinals around the globe. It raised an issue concerning lifestyle and vocation. Perhaps, some had made themselves quite comfortable within homes owned by the Church, and even lost sight of their own specific vocation and witness. 

Pope Francis has criticized what he called "airport bishops" and clergy who drive fancy cars while flying to engagements around the world. According to Francis, bishops and archbishops should be focused on pastoral duties. They should live simplicity of life, as clergy and consecrated celibates.

When the Vatican Almoner complained that he was virtually chained to his desk with administrative duties, Pope Francis admonished him that he could sell his desk. The Almoner now goes out at night to distribute alms to the poor of Rome.

Pray for a Church that is poor and for the poor!

"God save us from a worldly Church" Pope Francis was quoted by CNN. Clearly, Gospel simplicity is central to his writings.

Everyone knows that Pope Francis is a man who lives simply. He is also known for his piety and humility. In the light of that visible witness, the homes of some American Bishops and Cardinals will certainly attract attention.

Here is the list provided by CNN of homes occupied by high-ranking clergy within the Church.

What do you think? Should American clergy reside in these homes? Does it send the right witness to the world? What about if the homes are shared with other clergy?


We need to pray for all of our clergy. We also need to live Gospel simplicity, in a way which flows from our own state in life and vocation.

---


'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'


Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online

Light Your Free Payer Candle for a departed loved one

What is Palm Sunday?

Live on March 20, 2024 @ 10am PDT

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Lent logo
Saint of the Day logo

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.