GERMANY
Yahoo! News
[with video]
The so-called ‘Bishop of Bling’ has been banished from his diocese, following scandal over the high cost of his residence.
Pope Francis ordered Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst to leave his diocese in Limburg for an unspecified period of time, in a move just short of a resignation.
The bishop reportedly spent 31 million euros on a residence, including a 2.9 million euro private chapel and a 15,000 euro free-standing bath.
In the bishop’s absence, the diocese will be administered by a vicar.
The issue will doubtless cause embarrassment to the Pope, who has been preaching frugality since he took office in March.
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