GERMANY
Deutsche Welle
The Bishop of Limburg is under criticism for overspending on his new home and for giving a false legal declaration. Church law expert Stephan Haering says things are bad, but he shouldn’t resign yet.
Deutsche Welle: If the reports about what has been happening in Limburg are all true, do you see any other possibility than some sort of resignation by Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst?
Stephan Haering: It’s all speculation so far, since we don’t yet have such a clear picture, but there are other possibilities: for example that a co-bishop could be appointed with special powers, so that he’d have to countersign everything – that’s possible in canon law.
Wouldn’t that be an impossible situation, to have a bishop in office who didn’t have any power?
It would certainly be extraordinary situation, and it could only be temporary.
Can the bishop be dismissed, or does he have somehow to be convinced to submit his resignation?
No, the Holy Father can recall him from office; he can give him another task; he can also dismiss him, so the pope can certainly take the initiative.
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