The Luxury home in which bishop Franz Peter Tebartz-van Elst draws his nickname "The Bishop of Bling" is likely to be turned into a refugee center or a soup kitchen.
The Limburg complex renovation cost 31 million-euros, a figure that generated outrage in Germany against the bishop of bling's extravagance. The outlay on the residence resulted to the 53-year-old Tebartz-van Elst's formal suspension. The Catholic official now wants the sprawling property to be used in housing and feeding the poor.
On his part, Tebartz-van Elst has defended the renovation expenditure of his home. He stated that the bill was for 10 projects and the building being under historical protection, required additional costs.
However, in a country that experienced reformation under Martin Luther five centuries ago due to corruption in the church, the bishop's defense fell on deaf ears.
The bishop of bling's leadership has been criticized before. In August and early this month, more than 4000 people, in an open letter to the bishop, rebuked him for his dictatorial rule.
Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, the head of German bishops, had been silent on corruption in the church. However, recently he has stated that the church commission would investigate the expenditures and decisions made in the renovation of the bishop's residence. Canon lawyers are expected to decide if Tebartz-van Elst acted contrary to the church law .
When the Vatican was called by the public to remove Tebartz-van Elst permanently from the diocese of Limburg, it refused. It stressed that its decision cannot be swayed by public outcry and its final decision will be based on the outcome of the church's investigation. Pope Francis, however, did make it clear that he expects all bishops to live humble and simple lives.
Lay Catholics and other bishops in the diocese expressed doubt that Tebartz-van Elst would ever return to act as bishop.
The Government of Germany did not comment on the matter touching on Tebartz-van Elst's corruption allegations.
