Spending Scandal: Pope Francis Banishes Bishop of Limburg

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/pope-francis-suspends-tebartz-van-elst-over-spending-scandal-a-929515.html



The Vatican has banished Germany's controversial "Bishop Bling Bling" for an unspecified period of time. In response to accusations of lavish spending, Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst will withdraw from his official duties in the bishopric of Limburg while a colleague fills in.

Spending Scandal: Pope Francis Banishes Bishop of Limburg
October 23, 2013 – 05:39 PM

Pope Francis has ordered the controversial Bishop of Limburg, Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, to leave his diocese for an unspecified period of time. The move was revealed by the Vatican on Wednesday following talks between the pope and Tebartz-van Elst earlier this week.

The statement said the bishop was "not currently in a position to carry out his episcopal ministry" and that an investigation and audit will be carried out in the Limburg bishopric while he is away.

Wolfgang Rösch, the current dean of the city of Wiesbaden who was due to take over as the bishop's vicar general on January 1, will step in.

The move comes amid growing criticism of Tebartz-van Elst's lavish spending, which has seen the cost of construction on his headquarters and residence balloon from €2.5 million ($3.44 million) to over €31 million.