Particular interest and discussions in politicians, banking and ecclesiastical circles even in the Maximos Palace are provoked by the proposal of the Metropolitan of Syros and. God's gift,for the Church of Greece to support the salvation of the National Bank.
The solution proposed by Mr. Dorotheos, which finds ardent supporters inside and outside the Church, is for the Church to participate, as one of the main shareholders of the historic bank, in the recapitalization of Ethniki. The purpose of the proposal is to prevent “her non-Hellenism”, as he characteristically mentioned…….
in his letter to Archbishop Hieronymos and the members of the Holy Synod, the Metropolitan of Syros, which was published by Romfea.gr.
As is well known, the Church of Greece faces major liquidity problems, something that can be seen from the inability to cover even the salary of its employees in the Holy Synod. However, what is proposed is to participate in the recapitalization of the Bank by putting as a guarantee its immovable property which, according to Mr. Dorotheus, valued at more than 400 millions of euros.
The proposal of the Metropolitan of Syros aroused the special interest of the Prime Minister himself, Mr. Antonis Samaras, who follows the developments very closely and has taken upon himself the issue of keeping the National Bank in Greek hands.
Sources from the Maximos Palace state that the Prime Minister was informed from the first moment through Romfea.gr about the proposal of the Metropolitan of Syros and is in discussions to see if it is possible to support the Bank and the Church of Greece.
In the event that the necessary funds required by the private shareholders are not collected, the insurance funds and the Church, then the National Bank will necessarily be nationalized through the Financial Stability Fund.
Subsequently, is considered mathematically certain, how it will pass into the hands of foreign banks and what this means for the historic banking institution that supported the national economy, the Greek businessman and endured so many storms, even during the Second World War…
Trust though, transfer of deposits not…
It is worth noting that at the same time that the Metropolitan of Syros and others within the Church are openly trying to show practical trust in the National Bank and not to create panic, many ecclesiastical N.P.D.D. they try in every way to withdraw their deposits from this particular bank, fearing a cut in their deposits.
And this happens despite the reassurances, but without substance as proved in practice, assurances from the official lips of the Church and specifically the Director of EKYO, Bishop Antonio of Salona, that the Church trusts the National Bank.
The question posed by banking agents is one and specific: “If there is, as it is said with official statements by the Director of EKYO, trust on the part of the Church in the National Bank, then why are its legal entities trying to find other banks, inside and outside Greece, to secure their deposits;”.
Yannis Argyriou for Romfea.gr