By Efi Efthimiou
Metropolitan Amfilochios of Kisamos and Selinos stressed the need for the state to support both young families and large families so that Greece does not have to resort to importing cheap labor from countries with different cultures. He shared these views in an interview with orthodoxtimes.com.
A few days ago, Metropolitan Amfilochios was present when the German President visited Kandano, where he spoke about Germany’s historical responsibility towards Greece.
“We do not interfere in political matters. During the German President’s visit to Kandano, we expressed the common sentiment of seeking justice for what happened during World War II, especially the actions of Germany in our country,” said Metropolitan Amfilochios.
“Now, the unfolding of history within the European Union, with its so-called solidarity and unity of peoples and nations, is a complex discussion. Our intervention focused on how Greece would expect this solidarity to have been expressed during the period of the Memoranda, especially in light of the hardships it caused. One could even see it as a form of modern occupation,” he noted in his interview with orthodoxtimes.com.
According to the Metropolitan, the consequences of the memoranda are most evident in the mass exodus of young people from Greece.
“This in turn creates a demographic problem, especially since there are fears that we will soon be a minority in our own country. People are worried that pension funds will collapse and that the population will no longer be able to meet the needs of the nation,” Metropolitan Amfilochios stressed.
He believes that government policies should prioritize supporting the nation’s population, providing incentives to encourage the formation of new families and support larger families.
“Politicians, who come and go over time, should solve the demographic problem from within, rather than importing communities and peoples from different cultures and backgrounds,” said the Hierarch of Chania, referring to the possibility of importing foreign workers.
Personally, he believes that “it is a risky assumption to think that a country’s demographic problem can be solved by indiscriminately importing peoples, communities and large population groups, even if it may solve the country’s labor shortage.”
“It is obvious that this will disrupt the social fabric. The balance in society will change if such a policy is adopted,” the Metropolitan warned.
He concluded by pointing out that if the people brought to Greece as workers come from countries with high birth rates, it will significantly change the demographic balance of each local community.
“This will have long-term consequences. Common sense should lead us to understand this. If anyone believes that this could be the solution to such a critical problem, it is a matter that requires serious reflection”.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
