Silicon Valley Church Purchases $2.3M Home For Bishop

SAN JOSE, CA -- Is a $2.5 million house too much for a Catholic church to spend on a retiring bishop? Some people may think so. The Catholic diocese of San Jose is receiving criticism after it was announced that it purchased the house for Bishop Patrick McGrath who retired.

"It was purchased with funds set aside for paying the costs of a bishop’s housing and upkeep after retirement, said the diocese’s communications director, Liz Sullivan. She said the diocese was 'following the policy set forth by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops' in purchasing the home," the Guardian reported.

McGrath, who defended the purchase to the news site, reportedly authored a bond measure for affordable housing, the Guardian reported.

"Many retired clergy choose to live in a retirement community in Mountain View sponsored by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. Others live in church rectories, the homes of parish priests. Catholic orders like the Society of Jesus provide accommodations for fellow Jesuits," the Guardian reported.

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