AC Press Comments

Here are some recent comments in response to the article regarding the bishop's 1.5 million dollar luxury estate--oh wait, no, "convent"--in Pittsgrove.

As a comment of our own, it has occurred to us that undoubtedly the diocesan administration must be exerting tremendous pressure on the poor sisters at this time, who must truly feel caught between satisfying the bishop's requests and fulfilling their vow of poverty, a promise they made to God. It is outrageous that the chancery would put out a statement supposedly made by Sr. Bernadette, while no one from the media has spoken directly to her, to the best of our knowledge. There is no way of verifying that she actually said what they claim she did.


Press Comments:

Is Andrew Walton coming unwound? His comments are hysterical, not to mention completely contradictory. He's another way our diocese is wasting money. I wonder how much he's getting paid for his "services."

Posted by: hahaha on Sun Mar 15, 2009, 11:28 PM



How much money does Andrew Walton make that he thinks an $800,000 house is a 'modest' living arrangement?

Posted by: elaine on Sun Mar 15, 2009, 11:38 PM


Not to be mean but with all the church and school closings recently and more in the future, why do they need new nuns? What are they going to do?

Posted by: theFlyingNun on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 2:32 AM


wake up parishoners!

YOU'VE BEEN DUPED!!

welcome to CAMP ALTAR BOY!!!

Posted by: no sin no win on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 3:58 AM


Ahhhhhhhh...haters and cafeteria Catholics. Some things you can just go to sleep on.

Posted by: Truth on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 5:13 AM


Isn't this awful when the diocese closes St Nicholas School in Egg Harbor City and wants to shut St Nick's church! This is an outrage!!!!!

Posted by: MaysLandingJane on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 6:14 AM


As with any charity...most donated funds go to administrative costs...I am sure the 'Bishops Annual Appeal' needed a new headquarters to operate from...
counting your gold in a lavish country estate seems
Medival in a way

Posted by: mikeyd__ on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 6:18 AM


simple math:

$8 million divided by 5 nuns = $1.6 million per nun.

talk about HIGH MAINTENANCE BABES!!!

Posted by: collection plate - not! on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 8:21 AM


This purchase gives a whole new meaning to "House of Charity". But seriously, why should I give a dime? They clearly don't need my hard earned money.

Posted by: Maria on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 8:30 AM


from Kenyan grass hut to upscale rural estate.

nice career move girls!

ps: but do they know how use the wet bar and ice maker?

Posted by: papist scam on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 8:31 AM


If you had a bunch of people giving you money every week wouldnt you spend it...They havn't spent it properly in a long time.

I went to Rome on vacation a few years ago and I am getting on the plane walking to my coach seat and what do I see a priest sitting in first class. I know when I searched to purchase those seats were like $15k round trip...I have not given a dime to the church since I saw that

Posted by: scam on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 8:41 AM


Why does this come as a shock to anyone? The Catholic Church is one of the wealthiest entities on the planet! They preach poverty yet acquire lavish property, jewels and artwork all the time. The vatican houses some of the most precious artworks of all time. They are not strapped for cash and never have been. They are considered to be among the larges private land holders in the world, and are estimated to have billions of dollars in banks and stocks around the world. It is one of the biggest businesses on earth. In his newest list of sins that will send you to "you know where," the pope has included accumulating vast wealth, but the Church has been doing that every day since its inception. Interesting, isn't it?

And sorry, but it's not 8 million dollars, it's 800 thousand dollars. Guess the math wasn't so simple for the brain trust who thought he'd make a point. Too funny.

Posted by: Really? on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 8:55 AM


Okay, everyone get your Catholic-bashing out of your system. Just remember when you are done, that Catholics are a very devout group of people. Unfortunately, their leadership is self-serving...just like our politicians. Ever notice that no matter what the group, power corrupts?

Posted by: njstorm on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 9:12 AM


"Spirit of poverty" while living in a $1.5 million dollar home? That's kind of like saying the Bishop has a "Spirit of fasting." Greed, corruption, lies - all from the Catholic heirarchy - it is disheartening to say the least. Bishop Gallante should resign.

Posted by: outraged in ocean city on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 9:32 AM


The church is big business. The road to heaven is paved with good intentions now send me the dollars.

Posted by: executioner1 on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 9:38 AM


I am somewhat familiar with the situation, and can tell you that the sisters are not at all comfortable with the sitaution. This was all Gallante.

Posted by: maverick on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 9:39 AM


If someone wants to know the excess of the hierarchy of the Catholic church in our Diocese, as well as in Philadelphia's, look at the ownership of several beachfront homes in Ventnor ... just a block from where St. James R.C. Church and school faced closings.

And not begrudging just the beachfront property, but the excessive nature INSIDE those homes (yes, I have seen it firsthand).

When the Diocese decided to close St. Augustine School in Ocean City, knowing full well prior to their decision that those students did NOT have another school that could take them, I knew I had given the Diocese my last time.

I think Catholics in this Diocese need to express their displeasure in the only way the Diocese and the Bishop understand ... financially. That is what bought several churches at least temporary reprieves already.

The religion and the faith of Catholics are strong (and yes I am one) ... its the leadership - the human element - that is flawed.

Posted by: truth not rhetoric on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 9:46 AM


There are way tooooo many empty Convents throughout the state to allow this to happen. The house should have been sold or rented for a lot of money.
The Nuns are very nice people who deserve whatever they get however there are many many empty houses in this and other states for them to live in for free.

Posted by: Empty nests' on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 10:02 AM


OK...so here we are with hundreds of billions of OUR dollars going out to greedy banks and business men to "save" them all. This is all OUR money and will cost us and our children for decades to come. I have a great idea. this will eliminate the current billions in debt and settle the national debt. If we just tax the Catholic church on its real estate holding in the U.S. we will raise enough cash to cancel out all the problems. All of the faithful can then empty there wallets into a brass plate on Sunday to help the churches pay there tax bills. Now the church will really now what poverty is like. We pay our tax bills every year now it is there turn. Just look around town next time you take a drive. no matter what town you live in the churches own the nicest land and the nicest homes in the nicest sections of town. Then go home and look at your home and your tax bill and just do some math and you will get an idea of the value of some of this land and structures.

Posted by: njscanner on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 10:03 AM


I am outraged by this article. There are devote Catholics who tried their best in preventing the merger from happening last year. They even poured in money from their personal savings. In return, we here about a eight-hundred thousand dollar convent.

Posted by: Listen here on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 10:29 AM


This is appalling! There are many, many underused convents in the diocese. The diocese has a retreat center in Blackwood and to believe we would trust they're purchase of this property as a 'future retreat center' is ridiculous.

What is it with this bishop, he comes across like the leaders of the financial institution we have bailed out. Totally out of touch with his pariashioners, he is getting bad advice from those around him

They should reverse this purchase and sell this property.

Posted by: uneasy catholic on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 10:44 AM


Talk about irresponsible actions. We were advised that the Bishop has increased the amount of money he wants to renovate the kitchen in the new, dynamic, vibrant elementary school in Clayton to the tune of $200,000 dollars. Andy Walton tried to justify the spending by saying the price was dropped from $1.5 million to $800,000 dollars. What he failed to mention was that the home was on the market for a year and when the recession/depression hit, it couldn't sell for the original listing price. So the "good catholic family took their money and moved south. How about the $1.7 million dollars for the sale of St. Bridget's school that went toward reducing the debt of that parish rather than helping to support the new elementary school in Clayton. There are too many instances of flagrant misuse of monies by the CEO of the Camden diocese and his constituents to print here. I wonder if they would agree to an audit of how they are spending their monies and make it an open report to the parishioners whose money they are spending. Sounds similar to the AIG scandalous use of taxpayers money with the backing of the government. We are being told by Bishop Galante that he is concerned about the number of Catholics leaving the church, well I suggest he look in the mirror to see how he is a major reason why this is happening.

Posted by: mazz on Mon Mar 16, 2009, 10:58 AM

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