'Bling bishop' will not be required to repay diocese: German newspaper report

August 13, 2015

Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, who resigned under heavy criticism for his use of diocesan funds, will not be required to pay any compensation to his former Limburg diocese, according to a German newspaper report.

Bishop Tebartz-van Elst, who became known as the “bling bishop” because of reports that he had authorized over $34 million in spending on his residence and other diocesan building projects, resigned in 2014. In July, the Limburg diocese disclosed that it was seeking more than $4 million in compensation from him for personal spending.

However, a news report in Bild says that Pope Francis has already decided that the German bishop will not be required to repay expenses over the diocesan budget.

Bishop Tebartz-van Elst is now living in Rome, working on catechetical affairs for the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.

 

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Further information:

• Report: Pope Francis to let 'bling bishop' Tebartz-van Elst off the hook for damages (DW)
• German diocese seeks compensation from former bishop (CWN, 7/23)