Archbishop's home on the market

The Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta has officially put a for sale sign in front of Archbishop Wilton Gregory's former Buckhead mansion, listing the 6,300-square-foot home for $2.85 million.

MARCH 11, 2014 ATLANTA The residence of Archbishop Wilton Gregory at 3358 Habersham Road NW. Shots of homes at 3358 Habersham Road NW and 136 West Wesley Road NW in the Buckhead area. These homes were purchased for the use of Archbishop Wilton Gregory and Monsignor Frank McNamee, pastor of Christ the King, with monies from the will of Joseph Mitchell, a longtime Christ the King parishioner and nephew of Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With the Wind." KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM

Credit: Ken Foskett

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Credit: Ken Foskett

Back in March, AJC staff writer Mark Davis sparked an international controversy when he reported that the archdiocese had used a bequest from the nephew of 'Gone with the Wind' writer Margaret Mitchell to purchase and refurbish the property for Gregory's use.  (Read the story here.) Some Catholic parishioners believed the $2.2 million spent on the home was lavish and an affront to Pope Francis, who electrified the world's Catholics when he eschewed the official papal quarters at the Vatican and pledged a life of simplicity.

Gregory apologized for the lapse in judgement and agreed to sell his residence on Habersham Road after consulting with other priests and local advisers to the diocese. (Read about his apology here.) He now lives in Smyrna.

The Georgia Bulletin, which reported the listing last week, quoted an official involved with selecting the real estate broker for the sale as saying it could take up to 18 months to find a buyer.