GERMANY
The Local
Published: 11 Jun 2014
Germany’s disgraced “bling bishop”, Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, who earned his name blowing €31-million on luxurious headquarters in central Germany has been given a new home in Bavaria.
Tebartz-van Elst was suspended by Pope Francis as Bishop of Limburg in Hesse in October last year and resigned in March following a string of revelations about spending on his new headquarters.
The lavish project including €213,000 spent on a fish tank, €20,000 on light switches and €350,000 on wardrobes.
A report into the huge sums spent was published in March, but the 54-year-old has continued to live in the luxurious surroundings of his Limburg home, while the church tries to find a new role for him.
But in a statement on Tuesday, the diocese of Limburg said the problem of what to do with Tebartz-van Elst had been solved. He will move in September to a rented apartment in Regensburg until he takes up a new role.
Bishop of Regensburg Rudolf Voderholzer has assured him a “fraternal welcome and hospitality”, the Limburg diocese said.
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