Pope banishes Germany's "luxury bishop" from his diocese

Pope Francis has ordered the German Roman Catholic prelate known as the "luxury bishop" for spending some 31 million euros ($42.70 million) on a residence to leave his diocese for an unspecified period, the Vatican said on Wednesday.    

The move, just short of a resignation, was taken against Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg two days after he met the pope to discuss the scandal in the German Church at a time when the pontiff is stressing the importance of humility and serving the poor.    

A Vatican statement said the bishop "was currently not in a position to carry out his episcopal ministry" and that he was ordered to leave the diocese while an investigation and audit into cost over-runs is held.    

The diocese will be administered in the bishop's absence by a vicar.    

The issue has been an embarrassment for the pope, who has called for a more austere Church and has told bishops not to live "like princes".    

German media, citing official documents, said the residence had been fitted with a free-standing bath that cost 15,000 euros, a conference table that cost 25,000 euros and a private chapel that cost 2.9 million euros.    


REUTERS