'BLING BISHOP' REPLACED

AFTER INQUIRY, POPE FRANCIS
REPLACES GERMAN 'BLING BISHOP'

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis on Wednesday permanently removed a German bishop from his Limburg diocese after his 31 million-euro ($43-million) new residence complex caused an uproar among the faithful. Francis had temporarily expelled Monsignor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst from Limburg in October pending a church inquiry. 
At the center of the controversy was the price tag for the construction of a new bishop's residence complex and related renovations. Tebartz-van Elst defended the expenditures, saying the bill was actually for 10 projects and there were additional costs because the buildings were under historical protection. But in a country where Martin Luther launched the Reformation five centuries ago in response to what he said were excesses and abuses within the church, the outcry was enormous.

The perceived lack of financial transparency also struck a chord since a church tax in Germany brings in billions a year to the German church. The Vatican said Wednesday that the inquiry into the renovation found that Tebartz-van Elst could no longer exercise his ministry in Limburg and that Francis had accepted his resignation, which was originally offered Oct. 20.
The Vatican said Monsignor Manfred Grothe, currently an auxiliary bishop in Paderborn, would take over but that Tebartz-van Elst would get a new job "at the opportune time." It added that the pope hoped that the faithful of Limburg would accept the decision with "docility and willingness to rediscover a climate of charity and reconciliation." 

Pope Francis has replaced a German bishop whose $43 million new residence complex sparked outrage among Catholics. The so-called ‘Bishop of Bling,’ Monsignor Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst from Limburg was temporarily expelled during a church inquiry in October. Tebartz-van Elst spent lavishly renovating his residence, including a reported $20,000 on a bathtub and $620,000 on artwork. That inquiry has now found him incapable of holding his diocese and demanded his resignation, the Vatican said. His conduct of glitz and glamor contrasts with the attitude of Pope Francisco, who since taking office in the Vatican last year, has emphasized charity and combating social inequality. All people who hold a position of importance, but especially those holding religious posts, must not live the lavish style of kingly life. They should not take delicious foodstuff, nor use luxurious clothing. Those who are dedicated to the service of the Lord and represent God on earth, should  live a life centered on austerity, modesty, temperance and sobriety. Our spiritual masters have taught us that Swamis and Brahmanas should not eat luxurious dishes nor dress in fine garments, they should not live a life of material comfort and pleasure, but they always remain humble and serve Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishna in their mind and heart. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The scriptures establish the superiority of he who is recognized to be a brahmana on account of his virtues. ... Inner tranquility, self-restraint, austerity, cleanliness, contentment, forgiveness, simplicity, knowledge, compassion, devotion to God, and truthfulness are all among the qualities of a brahmana. The activities allocated for each of the four varnas are prescribed solely in accordance with the innate qualities of four types of individual. And according to these qualities and their coincident prescribed activities, the four asramas (societal roles at different stages of life) were created. ... The scriptures condemn those who know nothing of the Absolute Truth but conceitedly flaunt the threads they ceremoniously received, designating their brahminical status, by calling them pasu-vipras - animals dressed up like brahmanas.

Śrīla Bhaktivedanta Vamana Maharaja :
"Javala and Satyakama"
'A man’s Virtues define him, Not his Birth'
http://www.purebhakti.com/teachers/bhakti-discourses-mainmenu-61/52-discourses-2009/1104-javala-and-satyakama.html
http://www.bvml.org/SBVM/index.htm

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/