Archbishops want unity government after latest EU deal

The head of Greece’s Catholic Church has accused the socialist-led Government of Alexis Tsipras of mishandling the current crisis, as European Union ministers announced a new rescue plan in return for far-reaching reforms.

“The harsh reality we cannot ignore is that Greece cannot get anywhere without the European Union,” said the bishops’ ­conference president, Archbishop Frangiskos Papamanolis of Syros and Santorini. “But I have to say with regret that the past six months have been a waste of time, since our Government hasn’t understood the situation. Tsipras inherited a very bad situation. But he also won the election with promises he could not keep.”

The archbishop spoke as EU leaders announced a new €86 billion (£60bn) bailout to save Greece’s faltering economy in return for new spending cuts and higher taxes, despite the rejection of further austerity in a 5 July national referendum. He told Italy’s  SIR news service that a government of national unity could be helpful if political parties “put aside their special interests”.

Meanwhile, another archbishop told The Tablet the worsening crisis had “severely hampered” the Catholic Church’s pastoral work, making it unable to pay taxes, maintain its buildings or provide services for migrants and refugees, adding that Greece’s predominant Orthodox Church was still shunning minority denominations.

“Tsipras’ governing Syriza party is less tied to the Orthodox Church than its right-wing pre­decessor – but its stance towards Churches has been ambivalent and we haven’t seen any concrete improvements,” said Archbishop Sevastianos Rossolatos of Athens.