Clergy residences under scrutiny

Bye-bye, Bishop Bling. So long, Pastor Perks. The so-called Francis effect may be real, at least when it comes to clerical housing, and could be coming to a church near you.

Pope Francis famously eschewed the trappings of the papal office, including deluxe digs in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, and the force of his example seems to be making itself felt.

The pontiff accepted in March the resignation of the most ostentatious offender, Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg, Germany, also known as “Bishop Bling,” who spent $43 million on a swank new residence and office complex while cutting staff.