The Pope - After a Week In 'Murrica

[Kingpin]

And on the topic of the Los Angeles Archdiocese:

The prices for some cathedral furnishings have also caused consternation. $5 million was budgeted for the altar, the main bronze doors cost $3 million, $2 million was budgeted for the wooden ambo (lectern) and $1 million for the tabernacle. $1 million was budgeted for the cathedra (bishop's chair), $250,000 for the presider's chair, $250,000 for each deacon's chair, and $150,000 for each visiting bishops' chair, while pews cost an average of $50,000 each. The cantor's stand cost $100,000 while each bronze chandelier/speaker cost $150,000.[12] The great costs incurred in its construction and Mahony's long efforts to get it built led critics to dub it the "Taj Mahony"[13] and the "Rog Mahal".[14]

Even without the pedophilia scandal, such misplaced priorities in spending would keep me from actively tithing. What a skewed sense of priorities! A million-dollar chair?!

While I agree with you, would you say this is equivalent to government spending on things you deem needless, but alas it's far worse in that you cannot choose not to pay taxes to support it, and if you do, you go to prison.