U.S.

Atlanta archbishop says $2.2M mansion likely to be sold

April 2, 2014 / 1:27 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Parishioners of Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, Ga., believe the church's recent purchase of a $2 million mansion for the archbishop, as well as a planned multi-million dollar renovation of another home, is wasteful spending

Atlanta archbishop under fire for $2M mansion 01:57

SMYRNA, Ga. -- The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta says he suspects the church will ultimately sell a $2.2 million mansion built for his use.

Bishop Wilton Gregory in 2004 Getty Images

Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday that he accepts blame for not consulting enough with members of the church before building the expansive residence in one of Atlanta's toniest neighborhoods.

Gregory says he wants to consult with several church councils before making a final decision but added that he believes the recommendation will be to sell the property.

The archbishop moved into the mansion in January, after selling his old home to Christ the King Cathedral so it could expand.

Local Catholics have criticized Gregory for not following the example of austerity set by Pope Francis.

"The church has made a mistake," Marci Maurer-Nunnery, a long-time parishioner at Christ the King, told CBS Atlanta. "There's no doubt."

In a letter to the Georgia Bulletin, Gregory said, "I failed to consider the example I was setting."

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