Criticism over pricey art trip to Italy by Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board trustees [Video]

Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues and a large crucifix for two new Catholic schools.

Rick Petrella, chair for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, said trustees acquired a statue of St. Padre Pio, a statue of the Virgin Mary, sculptures depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross and commissioned a large crucifix for St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School in Brantford, Ont. They also purchased a bust of Pope Francis for the yet-to-be-built Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School in Caledonia, Ont.

The future site of St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School in Brantford, Ont.

Petrella explained, in an email to CTV News, the money for the statues will be coming from the school board’s budget surplus. Now, they’re also looking at other fundraising avenues to help offset …