Explanatory notes the regulation in the multi-legislature of the Ministry of Finance concerning the calculation of the salaries of the senior clergy, gives to his announcement the spokesman of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Polyanis and Kilkissiou, Bartholomew.
It initially reminds that "the payroll of the Holy Clergy is the historical and timeless retribution of the State for the huge monastic property removed from the Holy Monasteries during the period 1833–1952, without full and equal compensation.".
He then argues that "the recent regulation proposed by the Greek State does not introduce any new privilege. Restores the High Priests' payroll within the general framework of public administration"
"In the Greek legal order responsibility for administration and institutional role are reflected and wage. For this reason the salaries of the High Priests are linked to the corresponding pay scale of senior public officials," says Bartholomew, noting that "reports of overweight or incorrect amounts are often based on incorrect reading or deliberate distortion of real data.".
The announcement of the representative of the Holy Synod
“The debate that has developed over the last few days around the High Priests’ pay regime has highlighted reasonable concerns, but several inaccuracies have been raised, which is why sober clarification is necessary.
First of all, it is necessary to point out that the payroll of the Holy Clergy is the historical and timeless return of the State for the huge monastic property removed from the Holy Monasteries during the period 1833–1952, without full and equal compensation. This property was used for the benefit of all Greek society, regardless of religious beliefs, contributing decisively to the operation of universities and hospitals, the restoration of farmers, refugees, landowners and small farmers, as well as to the creation of shared, public utilities and other public benefit infrastructures. In this sense, Cleros' payroll is historically associated with the exploitation of church property for the common good, rather than with some grace or privileged treatment of the Church on the part of the State.
At the same time, the recent regulation proposed by the Greek State does not introduce any new privilege. Restores the High Priests' payroll within the general framework of public administration. In the Greek legal order responsibility for administration and institutional role are reflected in wages. For this reason the salaries of the High Priests are linked to the corresponding pay scale of senior civil servants.
Reports of hyperoga or incorrect amounts are often based on incorrect reading or deliberate distortion of real data.
We therefore ask that the matter be approached with truth, justice and mutual respect, away from excesses and without raising easy impressions.
For the shepherding Church the effort to solve the real problems of men is an integral part of the pastoral responsibility and ministry and is therefore quietly carried out by each shepherd, without being advertised, according to the Evangelical command "as to what mercy I know your left hand what your right hand is" (Matt. 6:3).