Eichstaett, Germany  - The Catholic Church confirmed Thursday that it has vetoed a nominee to run the German-speaking world's only Catholic university because a local bishop does not trust him.

It had been reported that the Vatican intervened to stop Ulrich Hemel, 51, a thrice-married lay theologian, becoming head of the Eichstaett University in Germany's Bavaria state.

But a spokesman for Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke of Eichstaett said the reason was that a relationship of confidence between Hemel and the bishop had not developed.

The nominee had repeated a confidential conversation with the bishop to the media, diocesan vicar Bernd Dennemarck added.

Hemel had been chosen in January by senior professors as president to run the college, which has 4,200 students. The decision means the selection process must start all over again. The post has been vacant since last month.

Rights of veto by the church and government officials are common in Germany, which has a concordat or treaty with the Vatican, but it is unusual for a public clash to develop, since conflicts are usually settled quietly.

Hemel has qualifications in both Catholic theology and business administration. There had been speculation the church was concerned he had criticized Pope Benedict XVI.

Dennemarck told reporters the rejection "has nothing to do with a lack of approval from Rome or with Professor Hemel's private life."

The German media had speculated that Hemel's two divorces could be an issue, though his first marriage was annulled by a church court and his second was not celebrated in church and did not require a church dissolution. He has three children.

The Catholic bishops of Bavaria pay 15 per cent of the university's running costs and the state of Bavaria pays most of the rest. (dpa)