Priests turn to unions in pay row

Giles Tremlett in Madrid
Saturday April 2, 2005
The Guardian

A group of Spanish priests yesterday placed their faith in the country's trade unions as they decided to fight salary cuts imposed by a bishop who lost millions of euros of church money on internet stocks.

The General Workers union said it had been approached by some of the 200 priests in the diocese of Castellon, eastern Spain, after Bishop Juan Antonio Reig Pla reportedly suggested they dip into their church's alms boxes to make ends meet.
"We see them not as priests but as any other worker who is treated badly. The church is another big business," spokesman Tino Calero said.

Bishop Reig Pla imposed pay cuts of 30% or more, without prior warning, in January after his diocese's total debts rocketed to €10m (£6.8m).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1450695,00.html

Suppose he's elected Pope? :eyes:

one of two Texas princes of the Church?
http://www.the-tidings.com/2005/0107/texas.htm