Paronaxias Kallinikos: "I would not react to a salary reduction, I disagree with the increase"translated

The Metropolitan of Paranaxia, Mr. Kallinikos, expressed his disagreement with the increase in the salaries of the Metropolitans provided for by the passed bill of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, pointing out that the issue is not only financial, but mainly symbolic and pastoral. Speaking to the OPEN television station, His Eminence announced that he sent a letter to the Permanent Holy Synod on June 11, requesting the withdrawal of the relevant provision, without - as he said - having received an answer until then. He also clarified that his current net earnings amount to approximately 1,900 euros and expressed opposition to any increase, especially since it approaches, as was said in the discussion, 95%.

"I disagree with the increase in general, let alone the doubling," he stressed, emphasizing that bishops must be a role model for the clergy and the faithful. "For us, what is happening also has a symbolic character," he said, adding that "it is not appropriate for us to be considered to have a privileged position."

His Eminence noted that he has also suggested in the past that Bishops' salaries should not be significantly different from those of other...