In the Oakland diocese financial debt including going to the bond market (with all that includes) were taken on to offset a portion of the costs  of around 60 million in abuse settlements and somewhere around 80 million for cathedral construction.....I understand that a portion of the cathedral complex is unstable and requiring major and costly repair, as well.

Three of the four schools open in Oakland are, I believe, wealthy "hill district" schools....perhaps all 4 but I can only think of three.

Had the diocese not had abuse costs, not built a cathedral but rather renovated an existing structure and built a parking garage....think the story would be different.

I am saddened by the closing of the inner city schools that provided important education to a very varied mix of students and helped stabilize poverty areas.

This is so sad.