In his interview το ANA-MPA, the Minister of Ecucation, Research and Religious Affairs Kostas Gavroglou spoke of an “information gap” on the Church-State Agreement, especially on the issue of the clerics’ payroll.
“For the first time, the clergy is secured as appropriate to a modern European state”, he repeated, stressing that the payroll shall continue to be fixed by the Unified Wage law and shall be even more fortified than under the existing status.
“The State shall grand annually to the Salary Fund of the Church of Greece the payroll, which shall be carried out by the Single Payment Authority for a number of clerics equal to today’s», explained Gavroglou.
The ratification of the Agreement by law means that future unilateral amendments by the State are not possible, unless the two parts agree to a new amending agreement, commented the Minister.
At the same time, he insists: “The further we discuss this issue, the other part posing questions, objections and proposals, the better it is explained”. Besides, he explains that more meetings have taken place with the Church of Greece since “the Agreement concerns them”, adding that the Ministry awaits specific proposals by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Furthermore, referring to changes in school textbooks of Greece and FYROM, Mr. Gavroglou notes that they concern historic, archaeological and educational issues “in the light of deleting irredentist references and scientific mistakes, as required by Prespes Agreement”. There will be no such references in school textbooks next year.
Referring to the recent visit of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to Hagia Sophia and the Theological School of Halki, the Minister spoke of “a strong symbolism” and “a clear reference” to the principles of political equality and religious freedoms.
If the auditoriums of the School of Halki fill again with students, there would be only benefits for the peoples of the two countries, concluded Gavroglou.
