Religions and social welfare

Immediately after 1990, the Romanian Orthodox Church founded the section "Church and Society", responsible for the Church’s social and charitable initiatives, as well as a social welfare office. At the same time, departments of theology and social welfare were created in the faculties of Orthodox theology, so as to ensure, within a few years, the presence of trained personnel necessary for the further development of the Church’s charity work.
The foundations for charitable activities (diaconate) in the patriarchal administration were laid in 1993 and focused on the development of certain programmes ("Emergency assistance for poor families", "Indirect aid for poor children or families with several children", "Family and social neglect: causes, effects, remedies" etc.). The Romanian Orthodox Church also organised numerous conferences, focused on the development and effectiveness of the Church’s social activities.
The activity of the social welfare office of the Romanian Orthodox Church is determined by a regulation governing the organisation and operation of the social welfare system of the Romanian Orthodox Church, approved by the Holy Synod on a provisional basis in 1997 (Resolution no. 3336 of May 1997) and on a permanent basis in 2001 (resolution no. 245 of February 2001). This regulation also encompasses chaplains in hospitals, prisons and military institutions.
At the local level, since 1999, offices have been put in place to coordinate the welfare activities of the Orthodox Church, staffed by priest-counsellors in welfare. The goal of this organisation is to implement a system of charitable assistance that is well-articulated and organised and supported by a network of professional social workers in conjunction with the traditional institutional structures of the Church (bishoprics, deaneries, parishes). It should also be connected as much to the system of religious assistance in state institutions as to autonomous associations and foundations of Orthodox character created after 1989. The system was fully established with its inclusion in the new statute on the organisation and functioning of the Romanian Orthodox Church which came into force in 2008.
In 2003, many people benefited from the welfare and charity programmes of the Romanian Orthodox Church: 55,900 children, 44,500 elderly people, 51,800 families or students on low incomes, jobseekers, released prisoners, the handicapped or homeless. The creation of many religious organisations and foundations whose primary purpose is the development of missionary, cultural and philanthropic activities also proves the ROC’s interest in an active involvement in society. As a result, over 60 such associations participated in the "National Conference of NGOs working with the blessing of the Romanian Orthodox Church" (3-5 September 2002).

D 2 October 2012    ALaurenţiu Tănase AManuela Gheorghe

The impact of the social changes brought about in Romania by the start of the process of democratisation of society led churches - in particular the Romanian Orthodox Church - to reconsider their attitude towards, and involvement in, life in society. The Orthodox Church promoted a doctrine of pity and compassion towards society and the problems that man is faced with today.
Although Orthodoxy emphasises contemplation and the ideal of human redemption, it has not remained indifferent to human needs and social priorities. During 1948-1989, under the Communist regime, the Romanian Orthodox Church and the other churches found it impossible to play their role in society. Nevertheless, since 1990 there has been an increasingly active and meaningful presence of the Church in the social arena. This change is visible in the following areas:
– Intensifying charitable, social activities, as well as a significant development of philanthropic associations;
– The return of military chaplaincies and chapels;
– The reintroduction of religious education in state schools (optional lessons where each student has the right to choose according to the religion they belong to);
– The reintroduction of chapels into hospitals and prisons.

D 2 October 2012    AIuliana Conovici ALaurenţiu Tănase AManuela Gheorghe

Likewise, other churches and religions in Romania engage in a large number of charitable activities. The Catholic Church of Romania has a long tradition of well-structured social involvement, based on its social doctrine. The first association was founded in Romania in February 1859 under the name Calfs Kölping. Today, such associations exist within each Catholic parish. In addition to these, there exist philanthropic associations such as Catholic Action, Caritas, etc.
The Church United with Rome (Greek-Catholic Church) is also involved in strong and structured social activity. Unjustly suppressed by the Communist State in December 1948, it regained its place among the other churches and religions immediately after the fall of the totalitarian regime. The Greek-Catholic association Caritas has branches in all five dioceses (Alba-Iulia, Fagaras-Blaj, Cluj-Gherla, Maramures, Lugoj, Oradea) and creates programmes and social projects aimed at the underprivileged. The Protestant Churches of Romania (the Reformed Church, Unitarian Church, Augustinian Protestant Church and Lutheran Protestant Church) and the neo-Protestant Churches (the Baptist Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pentecostal Church, Evangelical Christian Church and the Romanian Evangelical Church) are similarly involved in social activities.

D 2 October 2012    AIuliana Conovici ALaurenţiu Tănase AManuela Gheorghe

Law 489/2006 on Freedom of Religion and the General Status of Denominations confirms the will of the state to recognise the legitimacy of the social commitment made by recognised faiths and to support them in their capacity of "providers of social services" (art. 10.7) and "social partners" of the state. It opens up the possibility of establishing partnerships with recognised religions "in areas of common interest" (art. 9.5).
Several such partnerships have been established along the years. In October 2007, a new cooperation agreement on social inclusion was signed by the Romanian Patriarchate and the government: the Orthodox Church is committed to supporting the government’s social policies and contributing to their development; for its part, the ministry undertakes to facilitate the spiritual care of people staying in its establishments or working in its divisions (e.g. hospital chaplains), including by developing spaces devoted to these activities.
Another cooperation agreement on social and spiritual welfare was signed on 24 July 2008 by the Romanian Patriarchate and the Ministry of Public Health. It develops the 1995 agreement to include a more pronounced social and educational dimension, by adding the important dimension of health education. Similarly, it provides the basis for direct collaboration between the state and the Orthodox Church in the area of social welfare and formalises the possibility for the Church to take part in various programmes initiated by the government in several areas (assistance for troubled families, for children from migrant families, for AIDS and tuberculosis patients in particular, development of social welfare in poorer zones etc.).
A draft law on a partnership between the state and religions in the area of social services was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies on 8 March 2011. This text formalises the possibility for all recognised religions to implement partnerships between the state or local authorities and faiths, but limits the possibility for public financing of such activities to 80% of projects. It also gives local authorities the greatest part of the responsibility for decisions on the implementation of these partnerships. The project has generated heated debate in civil society, with many observers accusing lawmakers of seeking once again to favour the Orthodox Church. The representatives of the Orthodox Church, however, have adopted a critical position in relation to this project. According to them, it limits the possibilities for public funding and, by giving local authorities power of discretion in regard to the project implementation and financing, entails an increased risk of political patronage and the use of these projects as electoral instruments. The President of Romania has refused to promulgate the law and has sent it back to Parliament. Its adoption is therefore still an ongoing process.

D 2 October 2012    AIuliana Conovici ALaurenţiu Tănase AManuela Gheorghe