"Bling Bishop" Ordered to Leave German Diocese

RTE News
October 24, 2013

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1023/482211-germany-bishop/

Pope Francis has ordered the German Roman Catholic prelate known as the "bishop of bling" for spending around ˆ31m on a residence to leave his diocese for an unspecified period.

The move, just short of a resignation, was taken against Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg.

It comes two days after he met the pope to discuss the scandal in the German church at a time when the pontiff is stressing the importance of humility and serving the poor.

The renovation costs went from an initial ˆ5m to over ˆ30m, with an additional ˆ10m also likely due because of damage to surrounding streets and structures caused by the construction work.

A Vatican statement said the bishop "was currently not in a position to carry out his episcopal ministry" and that he was ordered to leave the diocese while an investigation and audit into cost over-runs is held.



The diocese will be administered in the bishop's absence by a vicar.



The pope has called for a more austere church and has told bishops not to live "like princes".



German media, citing official documents, said the residence had been fitted with a free-standing bath that cost ˆ15,000, a conference table that cost ˆ25,000 and a private chapel that cost ˆ2.9m.