The statements made by the Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs Mr. Gavroglou at the Parliament, who put into question the payroll of 4000 clerics, raise concerns within the clergy.
Invoking a law issued in 1945, the Education Minister stressed that “Today the State pays more than 10000 clerics”.
“A major issue shall be raised if a Court of Auditors posits the question: ‘Why do the clerics that have no organic posts get paid?’”, argued Mr. Gavroglou from the floor of the Parliament.
In a statement to a television channel, Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus argued, among others, the following: “With all respect to the Minister, we respond that he has no legal knowledge. All the posts of the clerics are organic”.
“These posts are established, and they can only be abolished if the clerics resign or get expelled due to disciplinary measures. Therefore, these posts are not under the auspices of the Minister”, characteristically added Metropolitan of Piraeus.
Metropolitan Ioannis of Lagadas also commented on the issue: “It’s like saying to the employees that those not married are not entitled to a salary!”
“It is time to realize that such populist arguments may not be used in this clumsy and careless way, because they lay the sine qua non conditions for racism against the holy clergy”, concluded Metropolitan of Lagadas.
