Bishop rejects claim Church sought salary increases and calls for their withdrawal

The metropolitan described the issue as a communications manoeuvre aimed at shifting public debate away from society’s critical problems, as well as an attempt to soften reactions within Church circles to the law on marriage for same-sex couples. In doing so, he again reiterated the Church’s homophobic position.

In an extensive statement, the hierarch rejected the government’s claim that the salary increase was a standing request of the Church, saying no such request had ever been made by the hierarchy.

‘What was said by official lips, that this was a “standing request of the Church”, is not true,’ he stressed, noting that in his 24 years of service as a hierarch he could not recall such a request ever being made at a Synod or by any hierarch.

He was particularly sharp towards the prime minister, commenting mockingly on his relationship with Archbishop Ieronymos. ‘Now, if in the Archbishop’s communications with the Prime Minister, the former jokingly “threatened” to convert to Islam and become a “mufti” (…) and the Prime Minister “was afraid”, I cannot know,’ he said, in a clearly ironic tone.

The metropolitan said the issue amounted to a communications manoeuvre aimed at shifting public debate away from society’s critical problems. He claimed the proposed increases had deliberately caused a public outcry, remarking acidly that this was an ‘unexpected success of party communicators’, as attention had been focused on metropolitans’ salaries instead of major social issues.

At the same time, he suggested that the initiative may also be intended to create internal tensions within the Church by setting parish clergy against their metropolitans.

In his statement, the metropolitan estimated that the initiative also aimed, with elections in view, to reduce reactions within the Church to the law on marriage for same-sex couples. He also reiterated the Church’s homophobic position, saying the issue ‘is not closed’ for the Church.

‘What, then, could help to forget the stance, the vote and the actions of many? To shut the mouths of the high priests by increasing their salaries,’ he said.

Concluding his statement, he sent a clear message to the government, calling for the provision to be withdrawn in full before it is even submitted to Parliament: ‘This specific provision should be withdrawn immediately! It should not reach Parliament! No more slander!’

The metropolitan’s statement in detail:

‘I pondered a lot whether I should write something or remain silent about the issue of the government initiative to increase the salaries of the Archbishop and Metropolitans, which is causing so much noise these days.

‘However, the persistent recommendation of a person who surrounds me with deep respect and much love finally forced me to put aside my hesitations and draw the lines that follow.

‘1. I am in my 24th year of priesthood. Never in a synod has a request for an increase in our income been publicly raised or formulated in writing by any Hierarch. Therefore, what was said by official lips, that this was a “standing request of the Church”, is not true.

‘2. It is well known to all that our remuneration does not correspond to the position and honour that the state has always attributed to our function, within the existing framework of relations.

‘However, none of us bishops thought of demanding this. Now, if in the Archbishop’s communications with the Prime Minister, the former jokingly “threatened” to convert to Islam and … become a “mufti” (because Greek muftis are paid much more than Metropolitans) and the Prime Minister “feared” that this would happen to him, along with the other problems he faces, I cannot know…

‘3. Unfortunately, the political establishment of our country, of all colours, rejoices when the prestige of bishops is harmed in any way and for any reason. So now the proposal to increase the salaries of the Hierarchs has raised a whole raft of eyebrows. The internet is buzzing. Everyone is rushing to express an opinion with great anger. Unexpected success of the party communicators! They have turned public attention from society’s burning issues to the increase in hierarchs’ salaries! So the salaries of the communicators should multiply!

‘4. Perhaps the evil thought crossed the minds of some that with this specific proposal “we will bring the body of parish clergy into opposition to their Metropolitans. Therefore, we gain from this too”!

‘5. The main reason, however, seems to be, in electoral terms, to forget the position of the Church (and of course the Hierarchs) on the law on same-sex marriage. Do the rulers realise that this issue is not closed for the Church. It offends its ethos. The evangelical teaching. The mystery of Marriage. The institution of the Christian family. That is why it is difficult to forget.

‘What, then, could help to forget the stance, the vote and the actions of many? To shut the mouths of the high priests by increasing their salaries so that they would stop reminding them of it and influencing Christians, the members of the Church.

‘6. In the midst of all this, some of us went out to outsiders to “explain” what they are doing or what they will do with their increased 90% (!) income, forgetting Christ’s commandment, “let not your left hand know…” (Matt. 6:3). Unnecessary explanations!

‘“There are few wise people!” However, this specific provision should be withdrawn! It should not reach Parliament! No more slander!’

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