GERMANY
Deutsche Welle
Ex-bishop of Limburg Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst does not have to pay damages to his former diocese. Germany’s bling bishop was suspended after he wasted church money on a lavish residence.
The Vatican has decided that a canonical trial to ascertain whether Tebartz-van Elst should pay compensation was not warranted, the bishop’s former diocese announced on Wednesday, without explaining the reasoning behind the decision.
The diocese of Limburg in south-western Germany, which had demanded compensation from its former bishop, said it had accepted the decision as “the Holy See is ultimately responsible for any legal charges brought against a bishop,” Manfred Grothe, head of the Limburg diocese, said.
Tebartz-van Elst’s extravagant mansion in Limburg, which featured details such as bronze window frames and a 15,000-euro freestanding bath, set the Catholic Church back a princely 31.3 million euros ($34.2 million).
In April, the Episcopal See said the construction of the bishop’s residence had incurred a loss of 3.9 million euros for repair works and architects’ design plans that were not used in the end. It was the sum the diocese wanted to be compensated for.
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