Archbishop Chrysostomos granted a grace period to clergy who do not obey the anti-coronavirus measures, even dragging the people in some cases. He may have long ago announced that he would proceed to cut the salaries of disobedient clergy, however, feeling that it might have the opposite effect, he did not do so.
This he said while speaking to state television this afternoon warning however that he will eventually be forced to do so as he does not feel he has done his duty either.
"The Church wants strictness, it wants obedience, it wants humility, it wants love. If the clergyman does not have these virtues how can he help our people. Our people are a wonderful, religious people. I see it every day. If we do not respond to them properly what should we expect from the people?" he noted.
He said that during the ceremony of cutting the traditional royal cake for the employees of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus he said "I do not feel good, I have not done my duty and I must finally become strict. They cannot disobey the official church. At home they can do what they want, but since we have taken care to serve the people, we must do it with love and respect. Not everyone can do what they want in the church."
Asked what he is expected to do, he replied that he is thinking of giving them another chance and if they do not comply he will take decisions.
"I do not feel good that I have done my duty in full. I will give them another chance. I hope the pandemic goes away quickly, but if it does not, I will not tolerate it. I will start giving punishments and if they want to get away from me let them go. I offer 4 million euros a year to the clergy salary fund I can even deduct the salaries of the clergy who are in other provinces. If the Metropolitans do not agree with me then let them find a way to pay them. But my people I can punish them and if they don't like me the door is open for them to go wherever they want. I have the right and no one can take that away from me. I'll do this for the good of the people, I won't do it because I want to. The norm and compass of my actions and my goal will be the well-meaning interest of our religious people that we are here to serve."
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