Pope banishes Germany's 'bishop of bling'
- 11 years ago
He's been called the "luxury bishop".
He lives in a nearly $43 million residence in Limburg, Germany, built with Church funds.
The bath tub alone is said to have cost 15,000 euros.
He's Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst.
And his spending habits have been front-page news in Germany for weeks.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis banished him from his diocese, pending an investigation into cost over runs.
In making the announcement, a Vatican spokesman said the bishop is no longer able to carry out his ministry.
(SOUNDBITE) (German/official translation to Italian) VATICAN SPOKESMAN, FATHER FEDERICO LOMBARDI, SAYING:
"The German Bishops Conference decided to carry out an in-depth inquiry into the construction of the bishops residence. Whilst waiting for the result of this enquiry the Holy See has decided that Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst should have a period outside of the diocese."
The incident has been an embarrassment for the Pontiff
He lives in a nearly $43 million residence in Limburg, Germany, built with Church funds.
The bath tub alone is said to have cost 15,000 euros.
He's Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst.
And his spending habits have been front-page news in Germany for weeks.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis banished him from his diocese, pending an investigation into cost over runs.
In making the announcement, a Vatican spokesman said the bishop is no longer able to carry out his ministry.
(SOUNDBITE) (German/official translation to Italian) VATICAN SPOKESMAN, FATHER FEDERICO LOMBARDI, SAYING:
"The German Bishops Conference decided to carry out an in-depth inquiry into the construction of the bishops residence. Whilst waiting for the result of this enquiry the Holy See has decided that Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst should have a period outside of the diocese."
The incident has been an embarrassment for the Pontiff