Monsignor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, the German bishop who came under fire for his new $43 million residence, was permanently removed by Pope Francis on Wednesday after a Vatican inquiry into his spending. In announcing the decision, the Vatican said the pope hopes Catholics in Limburg will handle the decision with "docility and willingness to rediscover a climate of charity and reconciliation." Since taking office, Pope Francis has stressed that members of the clergy should be models of piety and sobriety for the churchgoing public.
