United and closer than ever before

The shocking news for Cypriots arrived only a few days ago, when the Eurogroup announced its intention to tax bank deposits on the island to handle the economic-financial emergency in Cyprus. The Parliament in Nicosia immediately voiced its opposition and yesterday morning the second in chief of the democratic group at the government Averof Neophytou said that Cypriot party leaders unanimously decided to create a "solidarity fund", stating pledge State goods for an emergency loan. The announcement was made by the office of president Nikos Anastasiades, on the wake of tensions triggered after ECB said it would grant "emergency liquidity assistance" (ELA), requested by Cyprus’ Central Bank, "until Monday, March 25". Details on the solidarity fund are yet unknown with the risk of emergency withdrawals from Cypriot bank deposits, potentially facing a 9.9% levy for depositors with over €100,000. The climate in Cyprus remains tense and the island’s citizens are worried, the archbishop of the Maronite Church, Youssef Soueif told Nike Giurlani for SIR Europe.In this time of grave financial difficulties in Cyprus what are the feelings that pervade the Maronite community in Cyprus and the population as a whole? "The Cypriot population feels deep bitterness, not only for the delicate economic situation but also for the decisions that have been taken a few days ago, linked to the economic emergency. Indeed, the nature of the European Fund is solidarity, but it should equally be borne in mind that certain decisions have an impact on global economy, and on individuals in particular. The Cypriot population cannot pay such a high price for this crisis. Most important, many families have modest amounts of savings and withdrawals from their deposits would seriously impact their living conditions on a daily basis. Europe’s modes of intervention should be promptly reconsidered".What can the Church do in this situation? "Given this crisis it’s important for the community to stay united. The Orthodox Church, the largest in the island, said it would offer its assets to the Cypriot government to help pull it out of the financial crisis. This is a significant prophetic, evangelical and human gesture. As a Catholic Maronite Church representing a minority community on the island, we follow this same direction and through our ecclesial networks, especially through Caritas, we seek to provide greater visibility to solidarity in our suffering society. Today more than ever it’s important to show solidarity towards others. Hard times lie ahead, but Cyprus has already faced serious difficulties before. Probably the ongoing crisis is the most serious of the past decades, but in the spirit of solidarity, at internal and European level, with a clear and transparent management of the crisis, we will be able to overcome this difficult economic situation".What do you imagine in the future? "This crisis is an occasion for everyone – at individual and societal level – to promote a transformation, to rethink and to reconsider priorities. We must distance ourselves from consumerist criteria and embrace a new vision of life, based on essentials. Overcoming the crisis will necessarily bring about a radical change in our lifestyles. We must aim at a simple life, more human and deeper, based on the values of solidarity and fraternity".