– Decision of the Holy Synod in the perspective of the Euro-Parliamentary elections of 25 May 2014 –
Met in working session on 22 May 2014, at the Patriarchal Residence, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved especially the pastoral urge concerning the Euro-Parliamentary elections of 25 May 2014 and reiterated the decision of political neutrality in accordance with the holy canons of the Universal Orthodox Church (6 Apostolic, Ecumenical Synod IV, 10 Ecumenical Synod VII, 11 Cartagena Local Synod). These canons forbid the hierarch, priest, deacon and monk to be engaged in politics, to be member of a political party, participate in electoral campaigns, to stand as a candidate and hold positions in the public administration.
Neuter from a political point of view, but not indifferent to the problems of the Romanian society, the Romanian Orthodox Church will continue to be involved in the general politics of the country contributing – by her own means – to the defence of the faith in God, of freedom, democracy, independence, integrity, spiritual and material prosperity of the country and of the Romanian people, rejecting any form of atheist ideology, or of extremism.
Given the Euro-parliamentary elections of Romania of 25 May 2014, the Romanian Orthodox Church urges the Orthodox clergy and faithful to participate, as European citizens, in the Euro-parliamentary elections and support the candidates who prove they can defend and promote the Christian values, especially the traditional family, life and human dignity.
PRESS OFFICE OF THE ROMANIAN PATRIARCHATE
