The Vatican said Wednesday it has suspended a German bishop who has come under fire for his extravagant lifestyle . Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst is under investigation for his spending after his residence in Limburg , Germany , was renovated for $ 42 million . The Vatican says Tebartz-van Elst can not carry out his ministry as long as the investigation in ongoing , and he 's been ordered to stay outside his diocese . Called the `` Bling Bishop , '' Tebartz-van Elst , who is known as theologically conservative , has denied any wrongdoing , saying the cost overruns on the renovation are legitimate because surrounding structures had to be protected , including the old city wall . But many people in Limburg and elsewhere want the bishop to step down . `` He built his office on lies , '' said Limburg resident Patrick Dehm . `` This must come to an end . The diocese does n't deserve this . '' For papal biographer Marco Politi it 's not that simple . `` The Pope is sending Bishop Tebartz-van Elst into exile for two months , '' he told CNN affiliate RTL . `` That is indeed a punishment , but a lot now depends on what the investigating committee will say . '' Some German media have come down hard on the bishop , with Der Spiegel criticizing him for taking a first-class flight to India , where he visited with the poor . Tebartz-van Elst said that he had gotten an upgrade and that he 's no fan of champagne or caviar . For his latest trip to the Vatican , he reportedly flew on a budget airline . Pope Francis shuns luxury apartment .
Germany 's Franz - Peter Tebartz - van Hagen has been called the ` ` ' Bishop '' The bishop 's residence in Limburg , Belgium , underwent a $ 42 million renovation . The Vatican says the bishop must remain outside his diocese during the investigation .