“The aid plan – denounces the bishop – made us lose our independence. Now we will actually have to accept ‘extended’ surveillance, based on the permanent presence of the troika (EU, ECB and IMF) as well as inclusion in our Constitution of a rule on the priority of public debt payments”. Msgr. Papamanolis points his finger at the political world, guilty of not cutting the costs of politics: “How can one ask the people to sacrifice themselves? – wondered the president of Greek bishops – Old age pensions have been cut while bills are going up. Elections will not change the trend of politics. Hard years are waiting for us; I don’t know how we can get out of it. Poverty is impressive. The only thing not assessed to us, yet, is prayers. But faith cannot be assessed”.

22/02/2012 -