German bishop, under fire for overspending, in Rome to meet with Pontiff
October 14, 2013
A German bishop who is under pressure to resign because of heavy spending has flown to Rome to confer with Pope Francis.
Last week Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg was charged with filing false affidavits about his personal spending. He was already facing intense criticism for spending over €30 million—several times the original projected costs—for renovations to his residence and a diocesan office building. A Vatican inquiry into spending in the Limburg diocese, conducted by Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, ended in September, and reportedly found no evidence of wrongdoing by the bishop. The German bishops’ conference has also undertaken an investigation, which is not yet complete.
"The bishop is saddened by the escalation of the current discussion,” the diocese said in a formal statement. The statement added that Bishop Tebartz-van Elst would leave it to Pope Francis to make “any decision about his service as a bishop.”
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Further information:
- German 'luxury bishop' flies to Rome for decision on his job (Reuters)
- Bishop of Limburg Tebartz-van Elst case referred to the Vatican (Deutsche Welle)
- German bishops, Pope to confer on spending dispute in Limburg diocese (CWN, 10/11)
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