religious freedom

Austria’s religious leaders meet Federal Minister, stress dialogue and peace

Leaders of recognised religious communities in Austria met with Claudia Bauer, Austria’s Federal Minister for the EU, Integration and Family, at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. The Romanian Orthodox Church was represented by Fr Nicolae Dura, Vicar for Austria of the Archdiocese of Germany, Austria and Luxembourg, and Fr Emanuel Nuțu, Cultural Counsellor of the…

Apr 28, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian bishop says Christians face ‘polite persecution’ in Europe

Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia warned Thursday of both violent and “polite” forms of persecution facing Christians today, speaking at the chapel of Romania’s National Cathedral on the feast of Saint George. In his sermon, the hierarch reflected on Christ’s words from the Gospel of the day: “The hour is coming when whoever kills…

Apr 24, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Antioch Patriarchate urges Syrian authorities to act after attack on Christian city in Hama

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East has called on Syrian authorities to take action following an overnight attack on March 27–28 in the city of Al-Suqaylabiyah, in Syria’s western Hama region. Attack in Al-Suqaylabiyah The city was subjected to attacks and intimidation from surrounding areas, including acts of violence and vandalism…

Apr 3, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

New US Ambassador to Bucharest pays courtesy visit to the Romanian Patriarchate

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the new U.S. Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg to the Patriarchal Residence on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, for a courtesy call. The ambassador was accompanied by Aaron Singleterry, the embassy’s political counsellor, and Alex Climescu, a political specialist. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel welcomed the ambassador to the Romanian Patriarchate and highlighted the…

Mar 19, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Open Doors says persecution hits 388 mln Christians worldwide, families face growing pressure

According to the World Watch List 2026 report published by Open Doors, religious persecution targeting Christians has a direct impact on family life, with converts facing pressure, abuse and marginalisation even from their own relatives. The report points to a worsening of anti-Christian persecution worldwide, both in scale and intensity, with direct consequences for family…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Over 5 billion live under religious discrimination, interfaith dialogue seen as remedy

More than two-thirds of the world’s population lives in countries where religious freedom is restricted or violated, according to a 2025 report published by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN International). The document notes that interreligious dialogue and cooperation between communities can help reduce discrimination and promote social peace. Analysing the situation in 196…

Jan 15, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Anti-Christian hate crimes remain high across Europe, rights groups say

European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) and the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) have published a new annual report showing that hate crimes and violence targeting Christians remain at persistently high levels across Europe. The report finds that ideological motivations are increasingly driving such incidents, alongside religiously motivated attacks…

Dec 24, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Christian and Muslim leaders mark 10 years of Aqaba Process at Jordan Conference

Christian and Muslim religious leaders from the Balkans and the Middle East gathered last week in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to mark the 10th anniversary of the Aqaba Process, an international initiative aimed at promoting interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The international conference, titled “The Aqaba Process – Balkan Interreligious Dialogue,” was held on…

Dec 15, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel mourns former President Ion Iliescu, advocate of Romania’s democratic Western alignment

Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church expressed condolences Tuesday following the death of former President Ion Iliescu, remembering him as a leader who not only respected the Church but also played a key role in guiding Romania toward democratic reforms and closer alignment with Western values after the fall of communism. “Mr. Ion Iliescu…

Aug 7, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Romanian lawmakers establish National Day honouring religious freedom and the role of faith communities

Last week, the Chamber of Deputies approved a law establishing May 16 as the National Day of Religious Freedom and the Contribution of Religious Denominations to Romanian Society. The Senate passed the bill at the end of last year, and the law’s final version was submitted on Wednesday to the Secretary-General for potential constitutional review.…

May 22, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Faith prevails over ideology – Patriarch Daniel on Religious Education in schools

On Sunday, marking 35 years of episcopal ministry and the first feast day of Saint Liviu Galaction of Cluj, Patriarch Daniel spoke about the reintroduction of religious education in Romanian schools—a significant achievement of the Romanian Orthodox Church after the fall of communism, in which His Beatitude played an important role. The Patriarch of Romania…

Mar 11, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu