GREECE
Kathimerini
The process to initiate government checks on the finances of the Church of Greece and to pass a law requiring bishops to declare their assets will begin next week, Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Giannakou said yesterday.
Giannakou indicated that, in conjunction with Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, she would issue a formal decision that would start the ball rolling for investigations into the financial management of Church organizations and bishoprics. A draft law will also be submitted to Parliament which will make it necessary for bishops to declare their assets and funds-source (pothen esches) each financial year — an exercise they are currently exempt from.
The measure was agreed upon last month by Church hierarchs, headed by Archbishop Christodoulos, as part of a process to clean up the institution in the wake of a spate of corruption scandals, some of which involved the alleged misappropriation of Church funds.
Meanwhile, Kallinikos, Bishop of Piraeus, submitted a written explanation to the Holy Synod, the Church’s ruling body, with regard to allegations that he sexually molested a cantor some 13 years ago. Kallinikos denies the claims and yesterday said he was the victim of dirty tricks. The bishop asked for an immediate investigation to be launched by the Holy Synod so he could clear his name. The body appointed Vassilios, Bishop of Elassona, to head the probe.