Romanian Orthodox bishop condemns violence against women, urges respect and responsibility
Bishop Benedict of Sălaj issued a firm message on Tuesday for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: “We state clearly: No to violence!”
His Grace stressed that “the Church is attentive to the suffering of the world and especially to the silent and hidden suffering of many women, whether in families or in other difficult situations in contemporary society.”
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is, he said, another opportunity to reaffirm the need to respect the dignity of every woman, grounded in the words of Holy Scripture: “God made man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).
The Christian model
The Bishop of Sălaj recalled that, in Christian understanding, a man’s authority is not expressed through aggression, coercion or displays of power, but through responsibility, protection and care.
“St Paul exhorts husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25), showing that the model of marital relationship is sacrificial love, not domination. In the same passage, the Apostle emphasises that a man is called to care for and protect his wife as Christ cares for the Church (Ephesians 5:29).”
“Starting from this, a man is called to value his wife, to protect her and to respect her as the one who bears in her womb their children, the fruit of their love. This Gospel model excludes any form of violence and demands an attitude of fidelity, respect and constant support,” Bishop Benedict underlined.
Hidden wounds
The Bishop of Sălaj warned that the wounds caused by violence are deep and often concealed.
“The words of the prophet Malachi — ‘The Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth’ (Malachi 2:14) — show that the relationship between man and woman unfolds under God’s gaze and that any injustice or wounding carries spiritual consequences.”
He noted that violence represents a grave violation of the responsibility assumed through marriage and family life.
“We hope that through our witness and our work, we may become architects of a better world, in which the dignity of every woman is respected and the family remains the place where love is lived authentically. We call down God’s blessing upon all families and upon all situations in which people live their lives, so that peace, understanding and goodness may be established in our relationships,” Bishop Benedict concluded.
Photo: Diocese of Sălaj
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