Archbishop Apologizes, Says Mansion Likely to be Sold

In an interview with The Associated Press, Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory says that the church will most likely sell a $2.2 million Buckhead mansion built for him.

Gregory, who moved into the nearly 6,400-square-foot home at the beginning of the year, says he will still speak with several church councils on the matter, but believes the Habersham Road home on a 1.8-acre piece of property will be sold.

The archbishop moved into the home after his previous West Wesley abode was sold to Buckhead’s Christ the King Cathedral for expansion purposes.

The construction of the new home was made possible by a significant donation from the estate of Joseph Mitchell, nephew of Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With The Wind."

Following his 2011 passing, Mitchell left an estate worth in excess of $15 million to the archdiocese on the condition it be utilized for "general religious and charitable purposes."

Since moving in, Gregory has been criticized by local Catholics who cited the example of austerity set by Pope Francis.

He has since apologized to the state's estimated one million Catholics for a lapse in judgment. His apology in The Georgia Bulletin to the Catholics of the Archdioces can be found here. 

In the column, he writes, “As the Shepherd of this local Church, a responsibility I hold more dear than any other, certainly more than any configuration of brick and mortar, I am disappointed that, while my advisors and I were able to justify this project fiscally, logistically and practically, I personally failed to project the cost in terms of my own integrity and pastoral credibility with the people of God of north and central Georgia.”

Smyrna is home to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Read more coverage of this story here.