Patriarchal Palace hosts International Military Conference of NATO, PfP Chief Chaplains

Delegations from 35 countries gathered for the first time in Romania at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest to discuss the role and mission of chaplains in the current geopolitical and religious context.

On Monday, NATO and Partnership for Peace chief chaplains met at the church of Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade for a thanksgiving service officiated by the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of Ploiesti.

The 34^th edition of the International Military Conference of the NATO and PfP Chief Chaplains officially opened on Tuesday, February 7.

“Christ did not leave us teachings about war, but on the contrary, both He and His holy disciples and apostles give us innumerable exhortations to live with one another in peace. Christianity is the religion of love, the only normal state of a life lived according to the will of God and peace, bringing holy joy,” Patriarch Daniel said in his message to the participants in the conference.

The organisers bestowed upon His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel the Conference’s emblem of honour and medal and the emblem of honour of the United States European Command (USEUCOM).

Chief of the Defense Staff General Daniel Petrescu, other officials and representatives of several religious denominations in Romania addressed the participants.

Cristina Brăgea, a scientific researcher at the Institute for Political Studies of Defense and Military History, offered a lecture entitled “A century and a half of religious assistance in the Romanian Army.”

Dr Șerban Liviu Pavelescu, a scientific researcher at the same Institute, offered his reflections on “Religion as a dimension of national security. Historical coordinates and current dimensions.”

The conference continued on Wednesday, while the participants visited various tourist attractions, including Ghighiu Monastery, on Thursday.

The International Military Conference of Chief Chaplains of NATO member countries and the Partnership for Peace was organised by the Religious Assistance Section within Romania’s Ministry of Defence in partnership with the United States European Command (USEUCOM).