LAST UPDATE: 14:11
For about half an hour, Minister of Education Niki Kerameus and Archbishop Ieronymos discussed issues of common interest.
Archbishop Ieronymos returned the courtesy visit of Niki Kerameus of last July, soon after the new government took office.
Archbishop Ieronymos said before the meeting: “The Minister has visited me. We discussed a few thoughts and today I am coming back to return the visit. I want to wish her a new creative year, but we will not limit ourselves to greetings. I believe we will be given the opportunity to exchange views on some general issues and to devise a cooperation programme for the winter and the coming season.”
Asked whether issues such as the use of ecclesiastical property, the wage and insurance issues of the clergy, as well as the matter of religious education will be discussed, the Archbishop replied: “There are many issues, not only those you raised. And other issues will arise, of course, because life is like a current. However, the time of these things has not come yet. Now we have to get to know each other and to devise a programme. We will have plenty of time to discuss about these.”
The Minister of Education stated before the meeting that: “It is part of a broader framework of cooperation, a new framework of cooperation based on sincere dialogue, always respecting the distinct roles of the State and the Church and with every disposition and intention of a fruitful and sincere discussion between the Church and the State. As His Beatitude said, we will discuss various issues concerning the relationship of the State and the Church, and we have a lot of time ahead of us to work closely together in the future.”
Regarding religious education, the minister stated she had nothing specific to say on the matter.