Italy’s lower house on Thursday unanimously approved legislation regulating relations between the Italian state and the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, marking a major step toward formal recognition of the legal status and public role of one of the country’s largest religious communities.
The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy thanked the Chamber of Deputies for the vote, saying it confirms the spiritual and social role of the Romanian Orthodox community in the country.
“Today’s vote represents the culmination of more than five decades of mission and sacrifice by Romanian Orthodox clergy and faithful, who since 2008 have been under the pastoral care of Bishop Siluan,” the diocese said in a statement.
Romania’s ambassador to Italy, Gabriela Dancău, also attended the parliamentary session.
“The adoption of this agreement marks not only the completion of a complex legislative process, but also the expression of a democratic maturity that recognises the substantial contribution of the Romanian Orthodox community to the social, cultural and spiritual life of contemporary Italy,” Ambassador Dancău said.
“It is also a reaffirmation of the special relationship between Romania and Italy, founded on trust, shared values and a common responsibility for the European future we are building together,” she added.
The bill will now be submitted to a vote in the Italian Senate, a step that would complete the legislative process and allow the new legal framework to take effect.
The approval by the Chamber of Deputies represents an essential step in consolidating the legal status of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy, and in recognising the significant contribution of the Romanian community – the largest foreign community in Italy – to Italian society, the Romanian Embassy in Italy said.
Photo: Diocese of Italy
