Introduction:

You may be aware that our current Parish Council has taken it upon itself to depart from the Assembly approved budget for 2013 by cutting the salaries of each priest by 40%.  This reduction was reflected in current paychecks with only two days notice to the Fathers.  This deviation from the budget is apparently due to operating cash shortages, although no detailed accounting of our cash balances and obligations has been provided to parishioners.   It is quite probable that this move is at least partly political as the current Parish Council, in one of its first moves since being elected a year ago, petition our Metropolitan to re-assign clergy.  This action, taken by the Parish Council that espouses unity, has further polarized the Community, and adds to our longstanding  reputation of forcing its clergy out and blaming them for our problems.

Many concerned parishioners have drafted the following letter in support of our Clergy, and in condemnation of the unauthorized action taken by the Parish Council.   We hope you will add your name to show your support of our Clergy and disagreement with the action taken by the Parish Council.

Letter to the 2013 Parish Council of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake

We the undersigned parishioners and members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake object to and oppose your persistent efforts to remove clergy from this parish. You do not speak for us in calling for the removal of any priests from this parish. We the undersigned parishioners and members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake further object to and oppose your recent efforts to reduce the salaries of our clergy, including Father Michael Kouremetis, Father Matthew Gilbert and Father Elias Koucos, by 40% effective July 31, 2013. Your asserted basis for reducing these salaries is that the Parish does not have sufficient monies to pay the clergy their current salaries and meet its other operational expenses. However, we have been provided no proof of these claims. In fact, you did not even send the community a copy of the letter that was sent to Metropolitan Isaiah the week of July 22. We have not been provided with any financial reports showing how much money has been collected to date through stewardship or other sources, how the money collected has been spent and allocated, or the balance of funds in the various parish accounts. We have not been provided with any information to show that alternative cost cutting measures have been considered and explored, or why such alternative measures cannot be used to avoid cutting clergy salaries. And we have not been provided any opportunity to consider and explore alternative sources of operational funds. You have unilaterally elected that the best solution to the financial difficulties
facing the parish is to reduce the clergy salaries without soliciting any input from the parish as a whole, without any real explanation of how or why this is the best and most prudent course of action, and without any apparent regard for the spiritual wellbeing of those who rely on the clergy for sacraments, guidance, and comfort.
Last fall, you presented the Parish Assembly with a proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 which included full compensation for all three clergymen. That budget was approved by a majority of the Parish Assembly. Through your unilateral reduction of clergy salaries you are adopting and implementing a substantial modification and deviation from that previously approved budget. Such a substantial adjustment to the Parish’s operating budget requires at least a more detailed presentation and discussion with the parishioners. We the undersigned parishioners and members of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake respectfully demand that you immediately reinstate the clergy’s full salaries and issue a formal apology to the clergy for the incredible stress you have no doubt caused to them and their
families.