What Is the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs?
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State Secretariat for Religious Affairs State and Religions in Romania translated by Della L. Marcus Bucharest 2015 State and Religions in Romania © 2015 State Secretariat for Religious Affairs Web: www.culte.gov.ro E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +40.21.318.81.53; +40.21.318.81.54 Fax.: +40.21.318.81.51; +40.21.318.81.60 Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naţionale a României STATE SECRETARIAT FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS State and Religions in Romania / State Secretariat for Religious Affairs/ trad. Della L. Marcus. – Bucureşti: Litera, 2015 ISBN 978-606-741-674-9 I. Marcus, L. Della (trad.) 322 Summary Introduction......................................................................................................5 1. What is the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs?...................................9 2. History of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs.............................15 3. Evolution of the Religious Affiliation Structure......................................25 4. State and Religion in Europe.....................................................................37 5. Issues in public debate........................................................................53 6. Recognized Religions and Religious Associations.............................87 7. Religious Policy Legislation......................................................................113 Annexes........................................................................................................139 Bibliography......................................................................................142 Translator’s Notes.....................................................................................144 3 Introduction ithin the covers of this book, the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs overviews several issues involv- ing the status of religion / faith in society, specifically thatW of the religions recognized by the Romanian State. The ques- tion of the relationship of the State with these religions, especially with the Romanian Orthodox Church, has become the focus of attention of some public figures, politicians, and the press. By way of our activities, including the aim of this publication, we would like to promote a balanced debate, based on correct data, legisla- tion in effect, and information about the historic evolution of the Church-State relationship in our country. These issues are con- stitutive elements of national identity, whose complexity requires an objective approach, as an essential condition for civil, argument- driven debate. The State Secretariat for Religious Affairs knows how to carry out its mission as principal institution, through which the Romanian State defines, articulates and puts into practice pub- lic policies regarding religious life in Romania, and wishes to facilitate an honest dialogue, open to all interested parties. This book, compiled by the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs with the cooperation of the National Institute for Statistics and the National Authority for the Restitution of Properties, as well as with Romanian Embassies in the countries of the European union, makes available to the public a series of data and information that will provide greater understanding of the specific situation in our country in terms of the state’s relationship with various religions, from both a historical perspective and in a European context. This book is intended to be a working instrument for po- litical decision-makers, diplomats, civil servants that are directly involved with such matters, as well as representatives of religious faiths. Moreover, this volume is destined for researchers who are concerned with the Romanian religious phenomenon, and for civil society players who are directly interested in the improvement of the functioning of the Romanian political and judicial systems. 5 Introduction Therefore, after one and a half centuries of activity, and with the aid of this book, our institution proposes to offer a definition of the status and current role of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs within central public administration, and an incursion into its history as a key institution in the Romanian modern state’s rela- tion with the manifestation of various religious phenomena. We would also like to offer the public some statistical data, in order to provide a better understanding of the evolution of the religious affiliation of the modern Romanian population. For a proper understanding of the context within which the Church-State relations have developed and the particularity of the Romanian system of these relations, the State Secretariat of Religious Affairs is placed into a European context. In this sense, we believe that the Romanian model of Church-State relations, as stipulated in law nr. 489/2006 on Freedom of Religion and the General Status of Religions is an integral part of the European family of models of Church-State relations, central to which are religious freedom and the principle of state neutrality with respect to the manifestations of religious phenomena. As is the case in other European countries, relations between the state, and the organized forms of religious life in Romania have been constructed based on historic, legal and local institutional traditions, while taking into account existing European models, as well as the demographic situation, social and spiritual needs, and society’s current expectations. An overview of the main themes related to the Church- State relationship, currently under debate and part of the public agenda, illustrates the stakes yet to be clarified in Romanian society and the political system. In short, the scope of this book is a clarifica- tion of the place and role of religion in the public space. In order to better understand the main players in Romania’s religious life and the role these have had and are playing in Romanian society, this book offers a short description of the cur- rent situation and activities of recognized religions and religious associations in Romania. Far from being isolated in the private sphere and the liturgical space, one can observe that almost all of these have understood that they must play an active part in various areas, including education, charitable activities, social or medical 6 Introduction services, or cultural projects, organized faiths in Romania are act- ing as significant players in the public space. A selection of the legislation in effect in this area, at the end of the book, will prove to be a useful tool to all who are looking to understand the activities of religious groups in Romania. The State Secretariat of Religious Affairs has published sev- eral editions of a documentary on religious life in Romania (in Romanian in 1993, 1999, 2005, and 2008, and in English in 1999 and 2005). In its current form, this volume has been published in 2014, in two editions, in Romanian. Due to its good reception and the interest expressed in it by the public, it is now presented in an English translation that will prove, we hope, useful to all its read- ers. This present documentary has been built on the foundation of preceding books, but it is intended primarily for political decision- makers and representatives of state institutions. Thus, we emphasize explanations the role and contribution of the State Secretariat of Religious Affairs in the construction and administration of Church-State relations in Romania. That is also why less space has been allocated to legislation and the detailed presentation of religious groups, favoring instead the presentation of historical data, statistics and the vision of the institution on mat- ters currently subject to public debate, which directly relate to the Church-State relationship. All data and information taken from the books mentioned above have been updated, and the data that has been included is presented in a more accessible graphic format. Victor Opaschi State Secretary for Religious Affairs April 2015 7 Chapter 1 What is the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs? he State Secretariat for Religious Affairs (SSRA) is a spe- cialized central public administration body, a legal entity, subordinate to the Government, and coordinated by the TPrime Minister’s Chancellery. 1.1. What are the objectives of the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs?? To ensure that the fundamental rights and freedoms under the Romanian Constitution and Law nr. 489/2006 on Freedom of Religion and the General Status of Religions are respected and promoted, including international treaties and conventions that Romania is party to in the area of freedom of conscience and religion. To develop a social, cultural, and educational partnership between central and local public authorities and those religions recognized by law. In this connection, the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs is run in accordance with the fundamental principle that religions are free, autonomous, and equal before the state authorities. 1.2. Who runs this institution? Because the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs is part of the Romanian Government, it is a political institution appointed by the Prime Minister. The State Secretariat has its own office and is supported in its activity by an Administrative Director (Religious Denomination Relations Administration) and two heads of office (Support Department, Education, and respec- tively the Economic, Human Resources, and Administrative Department). 9 1 1.3. What are its sources of financing? The State Secretariat for Religious Affairs is financed by