Two years after his election as head of the Cyprus Archdiocese, Archbishop George spoke in an interview with the newspaper “Phileleuteros” about the problems he has encountered in the management of church property.
He intends to combat the vicious practices in the management of church property, which are damaging to the church. “Some people enter agricultural plots of the diocese and declare that they are cultivating them, even receiving state subsidies.” This has been discontinued, and whoever wants to use church land will have to pay. No compromises will be made for anyone. An assessment has been made of the condition of the agricultural lands of the archdiocese, which, according to him, have not been managed in the best way for the Church. “A certain order has been introduced on this issue since this year, which continues to concern us.”
The Cyprus Archdiocese lost over 100 million euros during the banking crisis, the Archbishop said, and this has affected the financial stability of the church. The Archbishop spoke about the ongoing investigation, which began during the time of the late Archbishop Chrysostomos II, into the misappropriation of archdiocese property. The property of the largest church in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, “Holy Mother of God Appearing (Phaneromeni)”, which owns more than a hundred properties, is also a problem. The Archbishop said that in this case, legal cases have been filed against tenants who pay inadequately low rent and refuse a reasonable review of unprofitable rents. “I think there should be more order, although everyone sees things from their own perspective,” he said. The Archbishop specified that this is not about some “lonely elderly woman living in a house”, but about commercial premises. No compromise was made for anyone, including relatives of Archbishop Chrysostomos I of Cyprus (1977-2007).
“Furthermore, I have given instructions that the properties of the archdiocese be evaluated or even improved, where necessary, with a view to renting them out, considering that we do not wish to alienate church property.”
He noted that the Church of Cyprus also contributes a significant amount to the defense of Cyprus. Recently, the Cyprus Archdiocese allocated 1.2 million euros for the renovation of the dormitories of the Naval Cadet School in Greece. The Holy Synod has also decided to allocate a certain amount each year for the defense of Cyprus, but the Archbishop did not name the specific amount.
In addition, only the Archdiocese allocates 1 million euros annually for scholarships and other social needs, the other Cypriot metropolitanates also have their own social programs. The Archbishop specified that all these funds do not come from the church treasury, where the income is not even enough for the maintenance of the temples, but from the Church’s shares in various business sectors. Currently, the Church of Cyprus is investing in photovoltaics. It also became clear that the Church of Cyprus used a state subsidy to build student dormitories. He also believes that the salaries of the Archdiocese’s employees are too disproportionate. There are people who receive up to 300,000 euros per year, 8,000 euros in salary and additional income through their participation in various boards of directors of the organizations or companies of the Archdiocese, and others who receive 12-13,000 euros per year. “I do not deny that everyone should receive remuneration according to their qualities and work, but we are not a private company, but a church,” he noted. “A supplement of 1,000 euros per month is enough to cover participation in each board and to feel useful to the church. The amount saved in allowances is significant and can be used to increase the salaries of other employees.
When asked if he is not worried about opposition, Archbishop Georgi replies: “I am worried, but I am more worried about what I feel inside and when I ask myself the question of what I should do, my inner voice tells me that it will not forgive me if I pretend that nothing is happening.”
