Sound optimism

Europe is seeking to contain the fallout of Greece’s budget crisis and prevent the Country’s financial collapse, whose inevitable consequences would expand at global level. To exit from the crisis Greece must undertake a long and difficult path, marked by budgetary cuts and public spending downsizing. A few days ago, under the direction of Euro-group chairman Jean-Claude Juncker, Euro area finance ministers offered Greece a 30 billion-euro aid package for the first year. Other eurozone states will contribute with bilateral loans proportionate to their share in the capital of the European Central Bank. The IMF will also contribute to the package. Talks between the IMF and Greek representatives began April 21st and are expected to last 2-3 weeks. The Secretary General of the Greek Bishops’ Conference Msgr. Nicolaos Printezis, bishop of Naxos-Tinos, asked to comment on the crisis, pointed out its repercussions on the life of the local Catholic Church, in the framework of migrant flows and foreign workers.Excellency, if the crisis in Greece is not adequately addressed, social tensions in the country could worsen causing further impoverishment…“I believe that the Government will do its best to redress public balance and exit the crisis, also with the help of Europe. However, there are no differences with the past. And as things stand, the problem is not unsolvable. Industries were compelled to shut down and there have been protests, but in my view the EU has greatly amplified the crisis. I am optimistic about its outcome. The crisis can be overcome with the measures taken at national level, along with higher taxes and through international support. There are problems across all of Europe. Greece has high unemployment rates, but many young people come here to seek employment”. And do they find a job?“There are one million Albanians living in Greece. In my diocese, of 8 thousands inhabitants, 3 thousand Albanians are employed. Migrants do the work that the local population used to do: the hardest work. They come here without a job or a home. Once they find a job they also rent a house, buy a car and send money to their families living in their countries of departure. Many stay in the country for good, while others only for a limited period. This flow of migrants and foreign workers is affecting also the pastoral care of the local Catholic Church”.In what way?“We are witnessing a real and true escalation of Catholic faithful, which increased by 300%. They come from worldwide and live in places where the Catholic Church is not present. This causes great problems at pastoral level. We have no halls nor appropriate places where they could gather to celebrate Mass, hold catechesis, or organize ecclesial initiatives. I live in the Cycladic islands. I asked the Orthodox Metropolitan for a place where the faithful could convene, but got no answer. We have opened many of our churches to the Orthodox but they find it problematic do the same in return. We are asking for a place, not for a church. We made the same request to the mayors which has remained unanswered”.Could you provide us with concrete figures on the extent of the phenomenon? “There are 50 thousand Greek natives while 250 thousand are foreigners. A large number of these are Albanians, but there are also Iraqis, Philippines and Asians. We need priests and nuns and religious staff that could provide for their assistance. They speak different languages, which makes it worse. We have asked for the help of the bishops’ Conferences of their countries of origin, along with those in Europe. But for a priest to leave his homeland and go abroad is easier said than done. Such task requires preparation, formation and most of all, a specific missionary calling”.The situation is hard to face…“It is indeed. Foreign priests serving in Greece are called to attend a national meeting on the subject in Syros in May 18 to 19, promoted by the Greek Bishops’ Conference. Together, we will seek to identify ways to overcome the ongoing difficulties. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the Priestly Year and discuss pastoral care at diocesan and parish level, to draw up guidelines for future commitment and pray for the resolution of the crisis that lies heavily on our Country and which is reason for great concern”.At was point is the process for the recognition of the legal status of the Catholic Church by the State, a major concern for the Greek Church? “The problem of the legal recognition of the Catholic Church is yet to be solved. We hope that a just solution will be found by the year 2011. But we must be cautious. In the past when a solution appeared to be near, other problems arose that thwarted its implementation”.