Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Greek Govt. Takes 10K Clergy Off Fed. Payroll; Govt.Will Use State Subsidy for Clergy Salaries

Greece and its Orthodox Church tentatively agreed yesterday to remove some 10,000 priests from the state payroll, in a deal that will enhance a clearer distinction between church and state, the Reuters website reports today (November 7, 2018).

The Greek Orthodox Church has played a leading role in the life of the country for many centuries and is its official religion under the constitution.

Under the deal, reached between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Archbishop Ieronymos of the Church of Greece, the state will transfer an annual state subsidy to a special church fund for the payment of priests' salaries.

The current annual cost of the priests on the government's payroll is about 200 million euros.

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