The “Saint Christopher” Pediatric Palliative Care Center in Sânnicoară, Cluj County, was inaugurated on Thursday. It is the first of its kind in Romania to offer free medical, social, and spiritual assistance to children with progressive chronic illnesses.
Located 12 kilometers from Cluj-Napoca, the Saint Christopher Center was built by the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj. The new facility has a capacity of 38 places. It includes a chapel, medical offices, treatment rooms, play spaces, and counseling areas.
The building—comprising a basement, ground floor, first floor, and attic—was completed in less than two years. It was equipped with modern technology, designed to provide a warm, welcoming environment.
The event began with a blessing service for the center, celebrated by Metropolitan Andrei of Cluj, Maramureș and Sălaj, together with Bishop Benedict of Sălaj. Assistant Bishop Samuel of Bistrița, from the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, also participated.
“Children’s suffering is also their parents’ suffering”
In his address, Metropolitan Andrei spoke about the importance of the corporal works of mercy, including helping the sick, emphasizing that “in this palliative care center, children will be at the heart of attention.”
“Suffering is hard for anyone, but for children it is even harder, because their pain becomes their parents’ pain. Here, one of the Christian works of mercy will be made manifest, through care and love for the little ones,” the hierarch said, congratulating all who contributed to the project.
Bishop Benedict of Sălaj, who closely oversaw the founding of the center over the past five years as president of the ‘Saint Nectarios’ Association in Cluj, said the center is “a living proof of providence and love expressed in material form.”
“The nineteen wards will house children in suffering, and what follows from now on will be a sign of spiritual love, in the spirit of: ‘We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak’ (Romans 15:1).”
“I very much wish that the motto of everything that has happened here—and of what will follow—be together, which I believe is the expression, the secret, of a tested success,” Bishop Benedict added.
A place of shelter and comfort
Fr. Bogdan Chiorean, director of the Saint Nectarios Palliative Care Center and initiator of the project, explained that the idea for the new establishment arose from the need to support sick children and their families who lacked an appropriate place of care.
“Even when nothing more can be done for their healing, a great deal of care is still needed—care for the children and for those who remain by their side, their parents. This is how the Saint Christopher Pediatric Palliative Care Center was conceived, which today we see ready to offer shelter and comfort,” said the director.
A work that brings hope
The inauguration was attended by representatives of central and local authorities, medical staff, clergy, founders, benefactors, and supporters of the project.
Cluj County Prefect Maria Forna underlined the importance of the project for the community, stating: “I am glad that God has ordained that such a center be built in our county.”
Brief history
The idea to build the “Saint Christopher” Pediatric Palliative Care Center was initiated by Fr. Bogdan Chiorean, director of the Saint Nectarios Center in Cluj-Napoca. This was in response to needs reported by parents of children with progressive chronic illnesses who lacked access to specialized services of this kind.
The foundation stone was laid in the autumn of 2022, on October 13, by Metropolitan Andrei and Bishop Benedict. Construction was carried out between December 2023 and September 2025 on a 1,400 m² plot donated by the family of Fr. Lorand Emanuel Komives, at the urging of Professor Șoimița Mirela Komives.
Through this new establishment, the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj continues its mission of combining spiritual care with medical services. It offers consolation and support to suffering children and their families.
Photo: Metropolis of Cluj
