First and foremost a man of God but the Church still needs money

Cyprus-Mail
January 2014

Archbishop Chrysostomos II on Friday denied suggestions that he was neglecting his spiritual work to concentrate on the Church’s finances.

“This is not true and these comments have been made by people who have nothing to do with the Church nor do they know what we do,” he said.

Speaking to the public broadcaster CyBC, the Archbishop said that spirituality was of the utmost importance to him.

“I deal with Church matters first and then with everything else,” he said.

The Archbishop said that the reporter was asking the wrong questions.

“Why don’t you ask when have I ever been absent from mass? Or when have I not spoken on spiritual matters?” he asked.

The Archbishop said it was only natural for the Church to make investments as it needs to find a way to pay the people that work for it.

“The Church is a non-profit organisation and of course it will make investments and even that is a religious matter because we need more than €1 million to pay our employees and our priests,” he said.

The Primate added that he was constantly quizzed by reporters on matters concerning the economy and politics.

“On television and the radio all you hear is people talking about those subjects so it’s hardly my fault if that is what I’m commenting on,” he said.

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