Germany: Pope removes “bling bishop” over £26m renovation of his personal residence

Pope Francis. Photograph courtesy of presidencia.gov.ar

Pope Francis has formally accepted the resignation of the Bishop of Limburg Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, known as the “bling bishop” after spending over £26 million on renovating his official residence.

After reports of the bishop’s extravagant spending emerged last October, he offered to resign, but was suspended pending a Vatican investigation. On Wednesday the inquiry found that the bishop could no longer exercise his ministry and the Pope accepted his resignation.

The bishop’s spending drew criticism around the world, but was of particular significance in Germany, where many people pay a Church tax to the state. The Catholic Church raised &euro5.2 billion (£4.3 billion) from this tax in 2012, according to the BBC.

Auxiliary Bishop Manfred Grothe has been appointed to replace the bishop and run the Limburg diocese.