“The work of the Diaconia Mission is a beacon of light which inspires Romanians from all over the world,” declared Aurelian Iftimiu, Director of the Basilica New Agency, about the organization which represents the social “arm” of the Metropolis of Bessarabia. Diaconia has recently celebrated 20 years of social mission.
In an interview for the Diaconia Mission’s website, the director of the Romanian Patriarchate’s news agency spoke of the meaning of good deeds, emphasized the importance of communication in the Church and described how the Diaconia Mission is seen from Bucharest.
“The Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia is first and foremost a model of good practice within the Church and also among the NGOs,” declared Aurelian Iftimiu.
“It offers a model of service to society and I wish to emphasize the idea of service since the term of diakonia means exactly this. You prove through your programs that you really know to serve people and that you know how to be next to them when they need you.”
He also mentioned that the organization’s activities are very attractive for young volunteers from the Republic of Moldova.
Promoting the “Good to know” is a good deed
Asked whether it is Christian-like to announce our good deeds, the Basilica News Agency director said: “I think that the message ‘do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing’ should be understood in connection with another word of Christ: ‘Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven'” (Matthew 5:16).
The dilemma between communication and humility related to good deeds can be easily solved, he suggested: “Today, when a lot of misinformation is being circulated regarding the Church and its involvement in society, I consider valuable for us to reflect on, cultivate and multiply the good deeds, also by distributing the good news about them on social media”.
“Good deeds, social support and light can barely attract the attention of media. That is why the biggest challenge in communication for a social-philanthropic structure of the Church is that it can often be effectively ignored,” Aurelian Iftimiu said. That is why carrying forward the good news about good deeds becomes a good deed in itself.
The Church is a reference, not an influencer
In the same context of enlightening the world through the good news about good deeds, Aurelian Iftimiu said: “What the Church does is offer examples of good practice, not influence opinions. That is why I’d rather use the term reference instead of influencer when we speak of the Church’s involvement in society”.
“The Church represents indeed a reference in many fields, including culture, art, education, philanthropy, constructions, event organizing a.o. In the year 2021, marked by the pandemic, the Church has activated the whole community in order to help the sick, to supply the needs of medical institutions and of medical staff and to offer general encouragement to people who are scared of disease and death,” he added.
“I think the Church is in the frontline of the efforts to fortify people’s psychological and physical health.”
Aurelian Iftimiu ended with a wish addressed to the Diaconia Social Mission of the Metropolis of Bessarabia on behalf of the Basilica News Agency.
“I congratulate you for the two decades of effort and ardour, of challenges and opportunities, of professionalism and enthusiasm, of service and devotion. We wish that the Diaconia Mission’s good deeds resound to the end of the world, to light in people’s hearts the sparkle of love for their neighbours. We also wish hope for the strengthening of the collaboration between the Basilica News Agency and the Diaconia Social Mission in future.”
Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
