(Italian) Bethel in a Bind -- The Move to Bologna Stalled

by Room 215 9 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Room 215

  The latest item of the Italian language blog Proclamatore Consapevole details a problem facing JWs their bid to move the Bethel from Rome (which they apparently sold) , into an existent structure in Bologna.

  A recently enacted law requires existing buildings in that city to be retrofitted to withstand earthquakes. The problem is that the remedial work is (1) extremely expensive (in many, if not most cases, tearing down the building is cheaper); and (2) The work CANNOT be done by the usual volunteer labor JWs employ on construction projects; it must be contracted to a third-party specialist firm.
  

  Tax-paying property owners in the city will get a tax abatement from the government to help with their costs... but of course, since WT is a tax-exempt "charity" it will have to foot the bill! Since they've committed to the sale of the Rome Bethel, it's quite a dilemma.
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  Slidin Fast

  That is such a great conundrum. What happened to divine direction and blessing? If you claim all that when things go well, what do you say when you f%%k up?

  Priceless!
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  loneranger

  Not the first time they "bough" a problem without a thorough investigation...consider Warwick with its contamination and the Palm Coast Facility that was renovated then shut down within a year so a major mold problem could be removed.

  WTS expresses that they use the donated funds in the most cost effective manner...BS....with no transparency though the flock has no idea of these problemsand if the show in the media, theloving brothers clain it is Satan's lies. Is the Holy Spirit involved? Does Jehovah really care?

  If so, why so many inept people in decision making capacities? Big bucks problems seem to be pervasive with this group...
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  The Fall Guy

  I wonder how much it cost the UK Branch to pay the specialist company which was hired to clean up the pollution on the new Branch site at Chelmsford.

  The WTBTS/CCoJW seem to have a penchant for polluted real estate.
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  Half banana

  I wonder if they will use it as an excuse to fold the Italian HQ completely and save money?

  They usually say to justify any development, "We can see Jehovah's hand in this." Delusional fools.
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  Gorbatchov

  Penny wise, pound foolish.

  G.
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  DesirousOfChange

  That is such a great conundrum. What happened to divine direction and blessing? If you claim all that when things go well, what do you say when you f%%k up?

  I would suggest (to a JW) that it would seem that Joe Hoover is no longer favoring them with his blessing or divine direction. I wonder why?
  
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  Crazyguy2

  Sounds like there will no longer be a need for an Italian branch.
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  ToesUp

  Well, it looks like ole WT is in the pickle many of us have once been in. Money we don't have or facing a financial hurdle. Now when we told Watchtower Elders or rank and file that WE were facing these things, what were we told? "Build your house on a solid foundation, not on sand, blah, blah, blah. Pray more, attend more, study more, blah, blah, blah". The shoe is now on the other foot. Shame shame!!

  This is long overdue and it will be interesting to see "the beast" sweat.
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  steve2

  Uh-oh! Should've stayed in Rome....Jah missed that one.