Bishop to live in rectory upon retiring after diocese criticized for purchasing $2.3M home

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP/KTVU) - The Catholic Diocese of San Jose has purchased a five-bedroom, $2.3 million home in Silicon Valley for its retiring bishop. Now after some backlash on way that money is being spent, the bishop says he will live in a parish rectory when he retires. 
 

The cost of the home raised some concerns among the diocese's 640,000 Catholics, given the church's mission of charity and serving the poor.
 
The 73-year-old Bishop Patrick J. McGrath acknowledged in an interview with the Mercury News of San Jose the price tag is "a lot of money," saying he could understand it might not sit well with some parishioners. 

McGrath previously spoke about the lack of affordable housing in Northern California, but in a statement released Monday, he added, "I failed to consider adequately the housing crisis in this valley and the struggles of so many families and communities in light of that crisis." He characterized the situation as an err in judgment. 

After hearing from many others on the topic, the bishop wrote that The Diocese will put the $2.3 million home up for sale as soon as possible. Any profit from the sale will go to Charities Housing, a division of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, McGrath said. 

"When I retire, I now intend do live in a rectory at one of our parishes," McGrath wote in his final line. 

The listing for the nearly 3,300-square-foot (306 square-meter) home boasts of a "grand-sized chef's kitchen" and a "spa-like marble bathroom."

Diocese spokeswoman Liz Sullivan said it was purchased with funds set aside for a bishop's housing and upkeep after retirement. 
 
KTVU's Azenith Smith contributed to this report