Monday 28 October 2013

'Bishop Of Bling' Mansion May Become Refuge For Poor AND comments


This panoramic image (a composite of 9 photographs) shows part of the exterior of the bishop's residence in Limburg, Germany.
This panoramic image (a composite of 9 photographs) shows part of the exterior of the bishop's residence in Limburg, Germany.
Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images
That mansion in Limburg, Germany, where about $40 million was spent on renovations for the since-suspended cleric now known as the "bishop of bling" may soon be "turned into a refugee centre or a soup kitchen for the homeless," according to reports and other European news outlets.
We about Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst and the decision by Pope Francis to remove Tebartz-van Elst from his post at least temporarily. As we wrote:
"Tebartz-van Elst earned his unflattering nickname after reports surfaced that close to $40 million has been spent on work at his home and offices — about eight times what had been expected. He also, , allegedly made false statements in court about that work."
, among the "big-ticket" expenditures at the mansion were "$475,000 [spent] on walk-in closets and $20,000 [for] a bathtub."

SOURCE: NPR.ORG


  • Christopher Thompson
    So beautifully fitting! Pope Francis is living up to his chosen name.
  • Rick P
    Pope Francis should have Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst serve the poor at the new refuge.

  • Frank Matheis
    I love the new Pope. But, please don't tell anyone. I am Lutheran.

  • BaronVonPlotz
    Love it. Keep it up Pope Francis.
  • Michael Gallen
    Although I've left Catholicism for good, I have to give some grudging respect to the new pope. He actually seems to walk the walk.
  • Mario Chavez
    Wrong use of such a mansion. Sell it to a third party at market prices, so that the church can pay off its current debts.
  • L O
    Way to go Pope Francis. I am not a Catholic, but it's lovely to see him turning the status quo of the perceived Catholic Church on its head!!
  • E H
    Good work, Frank! Keep it up! :-)

  • rigpa 44
    Fantastic idea! From "Bling" to Bratworst"! Keep it coming Pope Francis! Feed the poor, serve the poor, love the poor - isn't this what the greatest among us always taught? Let's get on the band-wagon and make it happen!
  • blue cyan
    Bella Bella !!!! Pope Francis, I am so proud of this man, what a great great great human being, The epitome of a Saint. God has given the world a Saint in human form, better then any that has passed the realm of being named a Pope In Catholicism !.. , and I am not Catholic .

  • L O
    I'd also love to see how this kind of spending is possible? How does the church manage this kind of financial spending? What kind of oversight is there?
  • GwenGotGame
    Good for Pope Francis for suspending him. As for what to do with the mansion, a shelter or soup kitchen are both good ideas.

  • Tiny Hands
    Hey, I've been to that church! No idea the bishop was such a punk... although the church was very pretty. No $20k baptismals, though.