Church rails against ‘unfair’ tax

[KALAMOS BOOKS]

Church rails against ‘unfair’ tax

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_1_17/11/2009_112492

The Church of Greece said yesterday that it is not willing to pay for
“other people’s mistakes” in response to a recent government decision
to impose a one-off property tax on its real estate holdings.

The Finance Ministry earlier this month announced the introduction of
a levy on major companies and property owners to raise 1 billion
euros. But the Church, one of Greece’s largest landowners, believes it
is being unfairly treated.

“There is no war or disaster that requires our contribution,” said
Bishop Theoklitos of Ioannina, who presides over the Church’s
financial committee. “Instead, we are being called on to contribute
because of failed economic policies. We refuse to pay for other
people’s mistakes.”

According to an internal report on the Church’s finances, which was
handed to its head Archbishop Ieronymos in August, the institution
made more than 7 million euros profit in 2008.

Almost 20 million euros of revenue flowed into the Church’s coffers
last year, mostly from the renting out of church property. It also
earned some 4.5 million euros from investments.

During 2008, the Church spent almost 12.5 million euros. The biggest
outlay, just over 4 million euros, was for sponsoring events. Almost 4
million was spent on salaries.

However, Theoklitos said that the one-off tax would threaten the
existence of more than 800 charities that are funded by the Church.

“It is misleading for the government to say that it is taking from the
Church to give to the needy,” he said. “They are taking from the needy
to give to the needy,” he added.

Theoklitos objected to the fact that the Church is designated as a
charity, which means that it will have to pay three times as much tax
as some other landowners. “We are not a charitable foundation, we are
a social institution,” he said. “We told the [finance] minister that
he is treating us unfairly.”

According to the bishop, the Church of Greece owns property that is
worth over 700 million euros and has a portfolio of shares worth some
9 million euros.

--
June Samaras
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