CHICAGO -- Chicago's Catholic Archbishop is floating a novel way to help the church's financially-strapped schools. Cardinal Francis George proposes selling the church's Lincoln Park mansion, funneling the estimated $20 million proceeds into Catholic education, according to United Press International.
The three-story red-brick mansion, nicknamed the House of 19 Chimneys, has been the Catholic bishops' official residence since 1885.
George told priests during a recent ordination mass that his vow of poverty is in conflict with the luxury of the official residence, where he lives with three other clergy members. Four nuns reside in an adjacent building.
Pope John Paul II and President Franklin Roosevelt have spent the night in the mansion, which is protected by designated landmark status. The building, located on a half-block lot near pricey Lincoln Park, cannot be torn down without the city's permission, according to UPI.
While George didn't elaborate on the financial situation facing the area's Catholic schools, many are said to be struggling. Catholic schools across the country are reporting dwindling enrollments, UPI reported.
