Romania: a model of unity and
respect for differences
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| Pope Francis and Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel in Bcharest (ANSA) |
Ecumenical relations with the Romanian Orthodox, who make up
about 86 percent of the country's population, were among the main themes of
Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the Balkan nation.
By Fr. Adrian Danca and Linda Bordoni
One of the main themes during Pope Francis’ Apostolic
Journey to Romania – whose population is primarily Eastern Orthodox – was the
importance of unity among Christians.
In his address to the leaders of the 16-million strong
Orthodox community in Romania on the first day of his
visit, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the Catholic and
Romanian Orthodox churches will work more closely together in the future, and
he prayed that God may help the churches experience "unprecedented
ways of sharing and of mission."
Speaking to Vatican Radio & News, Archdeacon
Ionut Mavrichi, the Vice-Director of the Press Office for the Orthodox
Patriarchate of Bucharest said Romania can be seen as a model for ecumenical
relations.
Archdeacon Mavrichi describes the papal visit as an
important event important for all Romania and for both the Orthodox and the
Catholic communities that make up the nation.
Of course, he said, “The Orthodox also share the joy of the
Catholics that receive the Pope.”
The Pope’s presence in the nation, he continued, is a sign
of unity, a sign of hope, a sign of shared meaning and a shared testimony to
Europe that Christianity can represent the foundation of unity in a
disintegrating Europe.
Symbols and messages of unity
Archdeacon Mavrichi explained that the National Cathedral of
Bucharest is a symbol of unity; he said and the messages of the two highest
representatives of the Orthodox Church in Romania are messages of unity, of
peace, of love: an invitation to embrace each other respecting the differences
but living in unity.
He said they are an appeal to live our lives according to
“the message of hope for unity that Christ asked us for”.
The Archdeacon explained that “the commandment for unity is
a commandment for all of us”.
Even although there are differences, he said, it doesn’t
mean we cannot understand each other and walk together the path of unity.
Romania, model of unity
Romania, he said, can actually be taken as an example of
good practices for the model of living together, as it is home for many
different faith communites who cohabitate in the country without tensions.
“Let us not forget we are all Romanians and we are brought
together by our faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.
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