San Francisco archdiocese responds to Occupy movement’s brief takeover of archdiocesan buildings

(The Archdiocese of San Francisco has issued the following statement regarding the occupation and vandalism of property owned by the archdiocese on Palm Sunday, April 1, by the group Occupy SF. For background, see California Catholic Daily, April 4, “Occupy San Francisco — The Pose and the Reality.”)


The Archdiocesan properties at 888 Turk St. and 930 Gough that have been occupied are properties for the use of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory High School, which is an archdiocesan school.

SHCP is an urban high school with a campus that is compressed in an urban environment. SHCP and the Archdiocese bought these buildings five years ago to serve the students on campus in a variety of ways. Some of the buildings have been used for music and art classes until as recently as 18 months ago. These classes have been relocated to the newly built theatre arts center directly adjacent to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. 

About 35 to 40% of SHCP students, many of whom come from lower income families, receive tuition assistance. This year SHCP provided $2.93 million in tuition assistance.

The buildings are intended to become revenue producers to assist students now and in the future, especially during these difficult economic times.

It is estimated that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, through its parishes and institutions, provides about one third of all the social services to the poor, homeless and vulnerable in the City. These properties are important to the Catholics of the Archdiocese who support the continuation of that mission, especially for young people of low income families who desire a Catholic education.

 

READER COMMENTS

Posted Friday, April 06, 2012 12:17 AM By Michael
Well, I think we know where you really stand on this: “It is estimated that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, through its parishes and institutions, provides about one third of all the social services to the poor, homeless and vulnerable in the City. These properties are important to the Catholics of the Archdiocese who support the continuation of that mission, especially for young people of low income families who desire a Catholic education.” Serious Catholic fail. Perhaps channel your Latin American brothers and sisters and try to consider what helping the poor, homeless, and vulnerable really means.

Posted Friday, April 06, 2012 5:32 AM By Doc Mugwump
Painfully ironic.

Posted Friday, April 06, 2012 6:47 AM By MacDonald
Gee whiz, “Occupy” jerks, thanks for taking money away from good causes and having fun at the expense of the high school kids from all walks of life who attend Sacred Heart Cathedral each day. Now there will be less money for their needs, thanks to your idiotic rants, vandalism, and stupidity. Good job on “helping the poor.” [I hope the cops force those arrested to pay for the damages, rather than having the people of God having to foot the bill for these hooligans.]

Posted Friday, April 06, 2012 7:33 AM By Brian S.
I hope the archdiocese of San Francisco enjoys the support it receives here – it may be the first time it has enjoyed the approval of commentators to Cal Catholic Daily. I suggest that Archbishop Niederauer missed a teaching opportunity.

Posted Friday, April 06, 2012 8:28 AM By Alex Regenerate
I do not understand the decision to forcibly remove the occupiers. It seems that the building had not been used in over 1 and a half years, and that its original purpose is now obsolete. This statement claims that th Archdiocese is interested in helping the poor, but that is just what occupy intended to do. Furthermore, they intended to do so without money, which this statement cites as the archdiocese’s main form of help to the poor. I hope the church understands that they have caused good-hearted people physical and psychological pain in order to maintain exclusivity of this property which they have given NO specific purpose for having. I hope one day we will see each other on this common ground which we stand on.