Buffalo, N.Y., Nov 14, 2018 / 19:31 pm
Bishop Richard Malone of Buffalo, New York has come under fire for reportedly spending an estimated $200,000 to renovate his new home - a former convent near St. Stanislaus Church.
Malone had announced in April that he would sell his bishop's mansion to help pay for compensation for victims of sexual abuse in the diocese. He has since moved into his new residence with his priest assistant.
Internal diocesan documents and emails detailed the cost of the renovation, and were released in a Nov. 12 report from Charlie Specht of local news station WKBW. The estimated expenses include $22,000 for ramp access for handicapped visitors, $30,000 for landscaping, $7,200 to install WiFi, and $46,000 for a garage addition and a parking spot for staff.
Malone wrote in email released by WKBW that a visiting priest was "alarmed about my living in such a run down neighborhood" when Malone took him by the new residence.