‘Bling Bishop’ finds new home in Bavaria

The Local
June 11, 2014

http://www.thelocal.de/20140611/germanys-bling-bishop-tebartz-van-elst-finds-new-home-in-regensburg-bavaria

Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst pictured in his €31-million Limburg HQ

Germany’s disgraced “bling bishop”, Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, who earned his name blowing €31 million on his 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 included €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.

“The diocese welcomes the solution found privately by Bishop Franz-Peter van Elst Tebartz and his family, which is a good step for a new beginning," it added.