GERMANY/VATICAN
International Business Times
[with video]
Pope Francis has temporarily expelled German bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, dubbed the “Bishop of Bling”, over a scandal regarding his €31million (£26m, $40m) project to renew a sumptuous diocesan residence in the western small city of Limburg.
The Vatican said Tebartz-van Elst “could no longer exercise his episcopal ministry” and Limbrug’s newly named vicar general, Monsignor Wolfgang Roesch would administer the diocese.
“The Holy See deems it appropriate to authorise a period of leave from the diocese for Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst,” the Vatican said in a statement.
“The Holy Father has been continuously and objectively informed of the situation,” it said.
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