Janine Rouson James: Cathedral shows excess

The Oct. 25 news article “Bishop shows off cathedral he will leave behind” about the Bishop of Raleigh Michael Burbidge’s comments on the new cathedral was full of irony.

To have aggressively sought tens of millions from parishioners for the cathedral is ironic while saying, “We live in a ... consumer-mentality world, and this building makes you stop ... It reminds you that there’s something above and beyond this earthly journey.”

The fundraising campaign was launched during the economic crisis when jobs were being lost in 2009 through 2011, way before recovery began. The $41 million spent on this beautiful cathedral that went way beyond what was needed could have been used to help many in central and eastern North Carolina.

Along with several fellow Catholic brethren, I was disappointed at the priorities placed during such a tough economic time. And the pressure to give was fierce.

Raleigh’s diocese did need an expanded cathedral for our growth, but what we got went way beyond.

It’s ironic too that Bishop Burbidge’s transfer coincides with the cathedral’s finish. We’ve paid for this dream, more than what was needed in facility space yet people in this state are as much in need as ever but will have a cathedral.

This story was originally published November 1, 2016 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Janine Rouson James: Cathedral shows excess."