Render unto Caesar

Greece - The socialist Greek government is slated to impose heavy taxes on the Orthodox Church in its continued attempt to boost revenues in the face of a continuing debt crisis. The Church faces a 20% tax on any bequests and revenues from church property.

“The 20 percent hits us right between the eyes,” Bishop Anthimos of Thessaloniki said. A Church spokesperson declined comment on the new tax bill.

A director from the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy think-tank said, “The fact that we are going through a major crisis will make it easier for the Church to accept this measure, otherwise it will be thought of as not contributing to the salvation of Greece’s economy.”