The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Sălaj inaugurated a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities in Șimleu Silvaniei, Sălaj County, Romania, on Monday. The centre is dedicated to St Maria Brâncoveanu.
In the presence of centre staff, representatives of county and local authorities, and those involved in implementing the project, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj celebrated a blessing service and delivered an address.
“We need centres where not necessarily every problem is solved. We must be honest: not every problem can be solved. But love can heal a great deal. Love can honour another person in such a way that their dignity is restored or, at the very least, they find a sense of purpose in this world,” the bishop said.
“Because a sense of purpose does not necessarily come from social status or financial resources. It comes from knowing that you are loved, knowing that someone looks upon you with affection and knowing that someone values you deeply.”
Leaving no one behind
The Mayor of Șimleu Silvaniei, Mihai Cristian Lazăr, congratulated the team on behalf of the local authorities.
“One of our most important responsibilities, ultimately, is to ensure that we leave no one behind, because for a child, a single therapy session can mean a step forward,” he said.
“For their parents, it can equally mean another opportunity for their child to enjoy a better life. And for all the rest of us, it must represent a shared responsibility to ensure that these children are given genuine opportunities,” the mayor added.
A response to a need identified in the diocese
Fr Claudiu Nechita, the diocesan vicar and project manager, spoke about the need for such a social care facility.
“We began with a need we identified among children in this area. We then found an opportunity, namely the possibility of applying through the Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme 2021,” the diocesan vicar explained.
“We also received support from the local authorities, had an absolutely exceptional and wonderful project team, and someone who brought all these strands together and wove them beautifully: His Grace Bishop Benedict.
“Through both his prayers and encouragement, things came together in such a way that today we can begin a journey which, we believe, will honour the ministry we have as priests.”
At the end of the event, Bishop Benedict presented certificates of appreciation to those who helped implement the project.
About the centre
The St Maria Brâncoveanu Day Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities is located at 23 Mihail Sadoveanu Street, Șimleu Silvaniei, Sălaj County, Romania.
A total of 132 children with disabilities from Sălaj County benefit from specialised services, including psychological and psychoeducational therapies, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and special education activities.
The project is implemented by the Diocese of Sălaj through the Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme 2021, with support from the European Social Fund Plus.
