Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel has called for “shared responsibility” among religious communities and state institutions in promoting mutual respect, social peace and interreligious dialogue, warning that antisemitism, xenophobia and all forms of intolerance have no place in public life.
In a message addressed to a working meeting between representatives of Romania’s recognised religious denominations and government specialists, held on January 16, 2026, the Patriarch of Romania welcomed the initiative as “particularly necessary and timely”, aimed at identifying “good practices, existing challenges, and concrete ways” through which faith communities can help prevent and combat antisemitism and other forms of intolerance.
“The Romanian Orthodox Church disapproves of antisemitic and xenophobic actions, attitudes and rhetoric in the public sphere,” Patriarch Daniel noted, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to “peace and social harmony, interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence,” grounded in “love for one’s neighbour, solidarity and mutual respect.”
Please find below the full text of Patriarch Daniel’s message.
Shared Responsibility in Protecting and Promoting Mutual Respect and Interreligious Dialogue
I received with joy the news of the organisation of the working meeting between representatives of the recognised religious denominations and specialists from within the Government of Romania, taking place on Friday, 16 January 2026, with the aim of facilitating a constructive dialogue focused on identifying good practices, existing challenges, and concrete ways in which the religious communities in our country can contribute in a practical manner to the prevention and combating of antisemitism and other forms of intolerance.
We regard the initiative to organise this meeting as a particularly necessary and timely endeavour, as the Romanian State recognises “the spiritual, educational, social-charitable, cultural role of the denominations, as well as their status as partners in society and factors of social peace” (Article 7(1) of Law no. 489/2006 on Religious Denominations).
Cooperation among the religious denominations in our country is founded on “mutual understanding and respect” (Article 13(1) of Law no. 489/2006 on Religious Denominations) and serves as an essential instrument for preventing and combating manifestations of intolerance and for promoting a culture of dialogue and peace.
At the same time, this meeting highlights the importance of responsible cooperation between state institutions and religious denominations in Romania in protecting and promoting respect for the dignity of every human person, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation.
According to the legal framework in force, in our country, “any forms, means, acts or actions of religious defamation and incitement to hostility are prohibited, as well as public offence against religious symbols” (Article 13(1) of Law no. 489/2006 on Religious Denominations).
Thus, the Romanian Orthodox Church disapproves of antisemitic and xenophobic actions, attitudes and rhetoric in the public sphere, and reaffirms its constant commitment to fostering peace and social harmony, interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence, grounded in the values of love for one’s neighbour, solidarity and mutual respect.
In this sense, the Romanian Orthodox Church considers that any form of hatred, discrimination or intolerance is contrary to the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and incompatible with the moral values that underpin the Christian faith.
We express the hope that the work of this meeting will contribute to establishing lasting joint initiatives and to identifying effective solutions that support the development of a Romanian society more attentive to the values of human dignity, harmony, peace and social cohesion.
† Daniel
Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Mircea Florescu