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{{Short description|Eastern Catholic Church in Romania}}
{{Short description|Eastern Catholic Church in Romania}}
{{see also|Catholic Church in Romania}}
{{see also|Catholic Church in Romania}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
{{Infobox religion
| icon =
| icon =
| icon_width =
| icon_width =
| icon_alt =
| icon_alt =
| name = Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic
| name = Romanian Greek Catholic Church
| native_name = Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică
| native_name = Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică
| native_name_lang = ro
| native_name_lang = ro
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| liturgy = [[Byzantine Rite]]
| liturgy = [[Byzantine Rite]]
| headquarters = [[Holy Trinity Cathedral, Blaj|Holy Trinity Cathedral]], [[Blaj]]
| headquarters = [[Holy Trinity Cathedral, Blaj|Holy Trinity Cathedral]], [[Blaj]]
| territory = [[Romania]]
| territory = [[Romania]], [[United States of America]] and [[Canada]]
| possessions = {{plainlist}}
| possessions = {{plainlist}}
* [[United States]]
* [[United States]]
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| reunion =
| reunion =
| recognition = 1700
| recognition = 1700
| separated_from = [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]] (1698)<br/>[[Romanian Orthodox Church]] (14 March 1990)
| separated_from = [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople]] (1698)
| branched_from =
| branched_from =
| merger =
| merger =
| absorbed =
| absorbed =
| separations =
| separations =
| merged_into = [[Romanian Orthodox Church]] (1948)
| defunct =
| defunct =
| congregations_type =
| congregations_type =
| congregations =
| congregations =
| members = 498,658 (2017)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171215160455/https://cnewa.org/source-images/Roberson-eastcath-statistics/eastcatholic-stat17.pdf The Eastern Catholic Churches 2017]. cnewa.org</ref>
| members = 498,658 (2017 Catholic estimate),<ref>https://cnewa.org/source-images/Roberson-eastcath-statistics/eastcatholic-stat17.pdf The Eastern Catholic Churches 2017]. cnewa.org</ref> 150,593 in the 2011 Romanian census,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.recensamantromania.ro/rpl-2011/rezultate-2011/ | title=Rezultate 2011 - Recensamantul Populatiei si Locuintelor }}</ref> 115,364 in the 2021 Romanian census <ref>Primele date provizorii pentru Recensământul Populației și
Locuințelor, runda 2021, p. 15, 16 </ref> 6,000 in North America in 2020<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/zgeo1.htm | title=Eparchy of Saint George's in Canton, USA (Romanian Rite) }}</ref>
| ministers_type = [[Priests]]
| ministers_type = [[Priests]]
| ministers = 882
| ministers = 882
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}}
}}
{{Eastern Catholicism}}
{{Eastern Catholicism}}
The '''Romanian Greek Catholic Church'''{{efn|{{langx|ro|Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică}}; ''{{langx|la|Ecclesia Graeco-Catholica Romaniae}}''}} or '''Romanian Church United with Rome''' is a ''[[sui iuris]]'' [[Eastern Catholic Church]], in full union with the [[Catholic Church]]. It has the rank of a [[Major Archbishop|Major Archiepiscopal Church]] and it uses the [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] liturgical rite in the [[Romanian language]]. It is part of the [[Major Archiepiscopal Church]]es of the Catholic Church that are not distinguished with a patriarchal title.
⚫
[[File:Romanian Greek-Catholic (Uniate) Church map.svg|thumb|Administrative map of the Greek-Catholic (Uniate) Church in Romania]]


The '''Romanian Greek Catholic Church''' or '''Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic''' ({{lang-la|Ecclesiae Graecae Catholico Romaniae}}; {{lang-ro|Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică}}), sometimes called, in reference to its [[Byzantine Rite]], the '''Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church''' is a ''[[sui iuris]]'' [[Eastern Catholic Church]], in full union with the [[Catholic Church]]. It has the rank of a [[Major Archbishop|Major Archiepiscopal Church]] and it uses the [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] liturgical rite in the [[Romanian language]]. It is part of the [[Major Archiepiscopal Church]]es of the Catholic Church that are not distinguished with a patriarchal title.
Cardinal [[Lucian Mureșan]], Archbishop of [[Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia|Făgăraș and Alba Iulia]], has served as the head of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church since 1994. On December 16, 2005, as the ''Romanian Church United with Rome'', the Greek-Catholic church was elevated to the rank of a Major Archiepiscopal Church by Pope [[Benedict XVI]], with Lucian Mureșan becoming its first [[major archbishop]]. Mureşan was made a cardinal, at the [[papal consistory|consistory]] of February 18, 2012.


⚫
Besides the [[Archeparchy]] of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, there are five more Greek-Catholic eparchies in Romania ([[Eparchy of Oradea Mare]], [[Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla]], [[Eparchy of Lugoj]], [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Maramureș|Eparchy of Maramureș]], and [[Eparchy of Saint Basil the Great of Bucharest]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faswebdesign.com/ECPA/Byzantine/Romanian.html|title=Romanian Church|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> as well as one eparchy overseas, the [[Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St George's in Canton]], answering directly to the Major Archbishop and the Holy See, in the [[United States|United States of America]] and [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniancatholic.org/|title=RomanianCatholic.org|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref>
Cardinal [[Lucian Mureșan]], Archbishop of [[Greek Catholic Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia|Făgăraș and Alba Iulia]], has served as the head of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church since 1994. On December 16, 2005, as the ''Romanian Church United with Rome'', the Greek-Catholic church was elevated to the rank of a Major Archiepiscopal Church by Pope [[Benedict XVI]], with Lucian Mureșan becoming its first [[major archbishop]]. Mureşan was eventually created a cardinal, at the [[papal consistory|consistory]] of February 18, 2012.

⚫
Besides the [[Archeparchy]] of Fǎgǎraș and Alba Iulia, there are five more Greek-Catholic eparchies in Romania ([[Eparchy of Oradea Mare]], [[Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla]], [[Eparchy of Lugoj]], [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Maramureș|Eparchy of Maramureș]], and [[Eparchy of Saint Basil the Great of Bucharest]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faswebdesign.com/ECPA/Byzantine/Romanian.html|title=Romanian Church|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> as well as one eparchy overseas, the [[Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St George's in Canton]], answering directly to the Major Archbishop and the Holy See, in the [[United States|United States of America]] and [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romaniancatholic.org/|title=RomanianCatholic.org|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref>


According to data published in the 2016 ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'', the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church had 504,280 members, 8 bishops, 1,225 parishes, some 835 diocesan priests and 235 seminarians of its own rite at the end of 2012.<ref name="cnewastat">{{cite web
According to data published in the 2016 ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'', the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church had 504,280 members, 8 bishops, 1,225 parishes, some 835 diocesan priests and 235 seminarians of its own rite at the end of 2012.<ref name="cnewastat">{{cite web
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|title=The Eastern Catholic Churches 2016
|title=The Eastern Catholic Churches 2016
|publisher=Catholic Near East Welfare Association
|publisher=Catholic Near East Welfare Association
|access-date=29 November 2016}} Information sourced from ''Annuario Pontificio'' 2012 edition</ref> However, according to the 2011 Romanian government census, the number of its followers living in Romania was as low as 150,593, of which 124,563 are ethnic Romanians.<ref>[http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_13.xls 2011 Romanian census official data].</ref> The dispute over this figure is mentioned in the [[United States Department of State]] report on [[religious freedom]] in Romania.<ref>[https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51575.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2005] United States Department of State</ref>
|access-date=29 November 2016}} Information sourced from ''Annuario Pontificio'' 2012 edition</ref> However, according to the 2011 Romanian government census, the number of its followers living in Romania was as low as 150,593, of whom 124,563 are ethnic Romanians.<ref>[http://www.recensamantromania.ro/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/sR_TAB_13.xls 2011 Romanian census official data].</ref> By 2022, however, the church estimated their numbers have grown to 488,000, as many citizens whose ancestors had converted to Orthodoxy or embraced [[Marxist-Leninist atheism]] under the Communist regime have chosen to rejoin the Greek Catholic Church.<ref name=US2022>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/romania US State Dept 2022 report]</ref>

The vast majority of the Romanian [[diocesan priests]] in Romania are [[Clerical marriage|married]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Galadza|first=Peter|chapter=Eastern Catholic Christianity|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWp9JA3aBvcC&pg=PA303|page=303|editor1-last=Parry|editor1-first=Kenneth|title=The Blackwell companion to Eastern Christianity|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4443-3361-9|location=Malden, MA|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|series=Blackwell companions to religion}}</ref>


In addition, there are five other [[Catholic]] dioceses in [[Romania]], belonging to the [[Latin Church]], whose members are more numerous.
In addition, there are five other [[Catholic]] dioceses in [[Romania]], belonging to the [[Latin Church]], whose members are more numerous.
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==History==
==History==
{{see also|Union of Uzhhorod|Counter-Reformation}}
{{see also|Union of Uzhhorod|Counter-Reformation}}
⚫
[[File:Romanian Greek-Catholic (Uniate) Church map.svg|thumb|Administrative map of the Greek-Catholic (Unified) Church in Romania]]
[[File:Biserica Bob din Medias.jpg|thumb|left|220px|The Greek-Catholic Church in [[Mediaș]], built by bishop Ioan Bob]]
[[File:Biserica Bob din Medias.jpg|thumb|left|220px|The Greek-Catholic Church in [[Mediaș]], built by bishop Ioan Bob]]
[[File:Biserica sf.Petru si Pavel (2).jpg|thumb|left|220px|The former [[Greek-Catholic Church in Sibiu]], built by bishop [[Grigore Maior]]]]
[[File:Biserica sf.Petru si Pavel (2).jpg|thumb|left|220px|The old [[Greek-Catholic Church in Sibiu]], built by bishop [[Grigore Maior]]]]
Following the [[Habsburg]] conquest of Transylvania in 1687, Metropolitan [[Atanasie Anghel]] entered into full [[Communion (Christianity)|communion]] with the [[Holy See|See of Rome]] by the Act of Union of 1698, that was formalized by a synod of bishops on September 4, 1700.<ref>''The Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism'' (New York: Harper Collins, 1995) 1132.</ref>
Following the [[Habsburg]] conquest of Transylvania in 1687, Metropolitan [[Atanasie Anghel]] entered into full [[Communion (Christianity)|communion]] with the [[Holy See|See of Rome]] by the Act of Union of 1698, that was formalized by a synod of bishops on September 4, 1700. This was part of the process the unification of the [[Romanian Orthodox]] population to the Catholic Church (Rome's Church) newly created Greek Catholic Church, the former Orthodox Church of Romanians from [[Transylvania]]. <ref>''The Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism'' (New York: Harper Collins, 1995) 1132.</ref>


By entering into the Union, Atanasie and the other bishops, along with their respective dioceses, accepted the supreme authority of the [[Pope]], while at the same time being granted the right to keep their own [[Greece|Greek]] [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine liturgical rite]]. A diploma issued by the [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Leopold I]] declared that Transylvania's Romanian Orthodox Church is one with the Catholic Church and [[Holy See]]. Transylvanian Romanians were therefore encouraged to convert to Catholicism and join the newly created Greek-Catholic Church, while being able to retain the Byzantine rite, if at the same time they accepted four doctrinal points promulgated by the [[Council of Florence]] (1431 and 1445): the supreme authority of the [[Pope]] over the entire church; the existence of [[Purgatory]]; the [[Filioque clause]]; and the validity of the use of unleavened bread in the celebration of the [[Eucharist]] in the [[Latin Church]] (Eastern Orthodox had contended that Latin Catholic use of unleavened bread was erroneous).
By entering into the Union, Atanasie and the other bishops, along with their respective dioceses, accepted the supreme authority of the [[Pope]], while at the same time being granted the right to keep their own [[Greece|Greek]] [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine liturgical rite]]. A diploma issued by the [[Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Leopold I]] declared that Transylvania's Romanian Orthodox Church is one with the Catholic Church and [[Holy See]]. Transylvanian Romanians were therefore encouraged to convert to Catholicism and join to the Romanian Unified Church (Greek-Catholic Church), while being able to retain the Byzantine rite, if at the same time they accepted four doctrinal points promulgated by the [[Council of Florence]] (1431 and 1445): the supreme authority of the [[Pope]] over the entire church; the existence of [[Purgatory]]; the [[Filioque clause]]; and the validity of the use of unleavened bread in the celebration of the [[Eucharist]] in the [[Latin Church]] (Eastern Orthodox had contended that Latin Catholic use of unleavened bread was erroneous).


The step undertaken by Metropolitan Atanasie Anghel and his Holy Synod obtained for the ethnic Romanians of [[Transylvania]] (then part of the [[Habsburg Monarchy]]) equal rights with those of the other Transylvanian nations, which were part of the [[Unio Trium Nationum]]: the [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungarian]] nobility, the [[Transylvanian Saxons]], and the [[Székelys|Székely]]. This event coincided with the arrival of the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]] in Transylvania, who attempted to align this province more closely with Western Europe. However, most Romanians were not willing to convert,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitarius.hu/english/dates2.html|title=Major dates from the history of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> and this in turn led to the formation of Romanian Orthodox movements that advocated for freedom of worship for the entire Transylvanian population&nbsp;– most notable the movements led by Visarion Sarai, Nicolae Oprea Miclăuş, and [[Sofronie of Cioara]], under the influence of the dominant Serbian Church.
The step undertaken by Metropolitan Atanasie Anghel and his Holy Synod obtained for the ethnic Romanians of [[Transylvania]] (then part of the [[Habsburg monarchy]]) equal rights with those of the other Transylvanian nations, which were part of the [[Unio Trium Nationum]]: the [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungarian]] nobility, the [[Transylvanian Saxons]], and the [[Székelys|Székely]]. This event coincided with the arrival of the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]] in Transylvania (second time), who attempted to align this province more closely with Western Europe. However, Orthodox Serbian authority and Protestant Transylvanian nobility were not willing to accept Romanians Orthodox converts,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitarius.hu/english/dates2.html|title=Major dates from the history of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church|access-date=10 January 2017}}</ref> and this in turn led to the formation of Romanian Orthodox movements that advocated for freedom of worship for the entire Transylvanian population&nbsp;– most notable the movements led by serbian monk Visarion Sarai, Nicolae Oprea Miclăuş, and the bosniac monk [[Sofronie of Cioara]], under the influence of the dominant Serbian Orthodox Church.


In 1721, the Bishop's Residence was moved from [[Alba Iulia]] to [[Făgăraș]], and eventually to [[Blaj]] (1737). Following this change, Blaj became a center of learning and national awakening for all Romanians.{{Citation needed|date=May 2013}}.<ref>Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 1132; James Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation in Transylvania," in John-Paul Himka, James T. Flynn, James Niessen, eds. ''Religious Compromise, Political Salvation: the Greek Catholic Church and Nation-building in Eastern Europe'' (Pittsburgh: Carl Beck Papers, 1993). (ordered via USMAI); received Wednesday, March 11, 2009): 49–51</ref>
In 1721, the Bishop's Residence was moved from [[Alba Iulia]] to [[Făgăraș]], and eventually to [[Blaj]] (1737). Following this change, Blaj became a center of learning and national awakening for all Romanians.{{Citation needed|date=May 2013}}.<ref>Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 1132; James Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation in Transylvania," in John-Paul Himka, James T. Flynn, James Niessen, eds. ''Religious Compromise, Political Salvation: the Greek Catholic Church and Nation-building in Eastern Europe'' (Pittsburgh: Carl Beck Papers, 1993). (ordered via USMAI); received Wednesday, March 11, 2009): 49–51</ref>


In 1761, [[Petru Pavel Aron]] (1709–1764), the Bishop of Făgăraș and head of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, translated ''Biblia Vulgata'' into Romanian. While the Romanian Orthodox kept [[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]] as the official liturgical language till 1863, the Romanian Church United with Rome has been using the Romanian vernacular ever since its inception. In the 19th century, during a time when the Hungarian government was pursuing a [[Magyarization]] policy in Transylvania, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, with the aid of the [[Transylvanian School]] ''(Școala Ardeleană)'' and the [[Transylvanian Memorandum]], played a prominent role in resisting ethnic [[Cultural assimilation|assimilation]] attempts. Moreover, many leading figures of the Romanian emancipation movement in Transylvania, such as [[Simion Bărnuțiu]] and [[Iuliu Maniu]], began their careers as lay servants of the Greek-Catholic Church.
In 1761, [[Petru Pavel Aron]] (1709–1764), the Bishop of Făgăraș and head of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, translated ''Biblia Vulgata'' into Romanian. While the Romanian Orthodox kept [[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]] as the official liturgical language till 1863, the Romanian Church United with Rome has been using the Romanian vernacular ever since its inception. In the 19th century, during a time when the Hungarian government was pursuing a [[Magyarization]] policy in Transylvania, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, with the aid of the [[Transylvanian School]] ''(Școala Ardeleană)'' and the [[Transylvanian Memorandum]], played a prominent role in resisting ethnic [[Cultural assimilation|assimilation]] attempts. Moreover, many leading figures of the Romanian emancipation movement in Transylvania, such as [[Simion Bărnuțiu]] and [[Iuliu Maniu]], began their careers as lay servants of the Greek-Catholic Church.


Additional Greek-Catholic Eparchies were eventually set up at Oradea (1777), as well as Gherla and Lugoj (1853); Blaj, under the title of Eparchy of Alba Iulia and Făgăraș, became the Metropolitan (i.e. Archiepiscopal) See. On December 16, 2005, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church was elevated to the rank of [[Major Archbishop|Major Archiepiscopal Church]].
Additional Greek-Catholic Eparchies were eventually set up at Oradea (1777), as well as Gherla and Lugoj (1853); Blaj, under the title of Eparchy of Alba Iulia and Făgăraș, became the Metropolitan (i.e. Archiepiscopal) See. On December 16, 2005, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church was elevated to the rank of [[Major Archbishop|Major Archiepiscopal Church]].
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===Persecution under Communism===
===Persecution under Communism===
{{main|Anti-religious campaign of Communist Romania}}
{{main|Anti-religious campaign of Communist Romania}}
After assuming political power in 1948, the [[Communist Romania|Communist regime]], rooted in [[Marxist–Leninist atheism]], deposed all 12 bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church on Stalin's orders. Moreover, on October 21, 1948, the 250th anniversary of the Romanian Greek Catholic Union with the Catholic Church, the regime arranged for the "voluntary" and "spontaneous" transfer of all members of the Greek-Catholic Church (decree 358/1948), that numbered some 1,500,000<ref>{{cite book |last1=Markham |first1=Reuben |title=Communists Crush Churches in Eastern Europe |date=1950 |publisher=Meador Publishing Co. |location=Boston |page=66}}</ref> at the time, to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]; furthermore, the property rights over many of the Greek-Catholic Church's possessions, including its four cathedrals, were transferred to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]], while the remainder of those properties were confiscated by the State.<ref>''Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism'', 1132; Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation", 59–60</ref>
After assuming political power in 1948, the [[Communist Romania|Communist regime]], rooted in [[Marxist–Leninist atheism]], deposed all 12 bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church on Stalin's orders. Moreover, on October 21, 1948, the 250th anniversary of the Romanian Greek Catholic Union with the Catholic Church, the regime arranged for the "voluntary" and "spontaneous" transfer of all members of the Greek-Catholic Church (decree 358/1948), that numbered more than 1,500,000<ref>{{cite book |last1=Markham |first1=Reuben |title=Communists Crush Churches in Eastern Europe |date=1950 |publisher=Meador Publishing Co. |location=Boston |page=66}}</ref> at the time, to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]]; furthermore, the property rights over many of the Greek-Catholic Church's possessions, including its four cathedrals, were transferred to the [[Romanian Orthodox Church]], while the remainder of those properties were confiscated by the Romanian State.<ref>''Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism'', 1132; Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation", 59–60</ref>


The Greek-Catholic bishops, along with many of their priests, were accused by the newly installed Communist authorities of "antidemocratic activity". After refusing to give up their ties with the "reactionary" [[Holy See]], they were imprisoned. At about the same time, the Orthodox Church was being "purged" of priests hostile to the Communist regime. Following this purge, the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Orthodox hierarchy]] enjoyed good relations with the Communist authorities for the remainder of the [[Socialist Republic of Romania|Communist Rule of Romania]].
The Greek-Catholic bishops, along with many of their priests, were accused by the newly installed Communist authorities of "antidemocratic activity". After refusing to give up their ties with the "reactionary" [[Holy See]], they were imprisoned. At about the same time, the Orthodox Church was being "purged" of priests hostile to the Communist regime. Following this purge, the [[Romanian Orthodox Church|Orthodox hierarchy]] enjoyed good and unforced relations with the Communist authorities for the remainder of the [[Socialist Republic of Romania|Communist Rule of Romania]].
[[File:Greco-catolici Transilvania 1850.png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in Transylvania (1850 census)]]
[[File:Greco-catolici Transilvania 1850.png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in historical Transylvania (1850 census)]]
[[File:Greco-catolici Romania (1930).png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in Banat, Crișana, Maramureș, and Transylvania (1930 census)]]
[[File:Greco-catolici Romania (1930).png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in Banat, Crișana, Maramureș and Transylvania (1930 census)]]
[[File:Greco-catolici Romania (2002).png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in Romania (2002 census)]]
[[File:Greco-catolici Romania (2002).png|thumb|Greek-Catholics in Romania (2002 census)]]
[[Image:Greek-catholics in Romania 2002.jpg|thumb|Greek-Catholic presence, according to the 2002 census<ref>{{cite web|title=Recensământ 2002|url=http://recensamant.referinte.transindex.ro/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320124003/http://recensamant.referinte.transindex.ro/|archive-date=2012-03-20|access-date=2012-03-20}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Greek-catholics in Romania 2002.jpg|thumb|Greek-Catholic presence, according to the 2002 census<ref>{{cite web|title=Recensământ 2002|url=http://recensamant.referinte.transindex.ro/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320124003/http://recensamant.referinte.transindex.ro/|archive-date=2012-03-20|access-date=2012-03-20}}</ref>]]


[[Iuliu Hossu]], [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla|Bishop of Cluj]], turned down a proposal of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch, [[Iustinian Marina]], to convert to [[Orthodoxy]] and be named Orthodox Archbishop of [[Iaşi]] and metropolitan of [[Moldavia]], and thereby become the official successor of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch himself. Consequently, Hossu remained under house arrest. Year after year, he sent Memorandums to the President of the Republic, requesting that the country's laws and international agreements be observed with regard to the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church. In 1969, [[Pope Paul VI]] asked Hossu to accept an appointment to the [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinalate]]. As Hossu was reluctant to leave his people, the Pope created him a Cardinal only ''"in pectore"'', i.e. without publishing the fact, that was only revealed on March 5, 1973, three years after Bishop Hossu's death.<ref>Niessen, "the Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60.</ref>
[[Iuliu Hossu]], [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla|Bishop of Cluj]], turned down a proposal of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch, [[Iustinian Marina]], to convert to [[Orthodoxy]] and be named Orthodox Archbishop of [[Iaşi]] and metropolitan of [[Moldavia]], and thereby become the official successor of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch himself. Consequently, Hossu remained under house arrest. Year after year, he sent Memorandums to the President of the Republic, requesting that the country's laws and international agreements be observed with regard to the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church. In 1969, [[Pope Paul VI]] asked Hossu to allow himself to be made a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]]. As Hossu was reluctant to leave Romania, the pope made him a cardinal only ''"in pectore"'', i.e. without publishing the fact, and this was only revealed on March 5, 1973, three years after Hossu's death.<ref>Niessen, "the Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60.</ref>


Another remarkable Romanian Greek-Catholic ecclesiastic of the time was [[Alexandru Todea]] (1912–2002). Secretly (in pectore) consecrated as a titular [[bishop]] on November 19, 1950, he was arrested and the following year he received a sentence of life in prison. He was granted amnesty in 1964. On March 14, 1990, after the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989|fall of the Communist regime]], he was appointed Archbishop of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, and was created a Cardinal the following year.<ref>Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60</ref>
Another remarkable Romanian Greek-Catholic ecclesiastic of the time was [[Alexandru Todea]] (1912–2002). Secretly consecrated a [[bishop]] on November 19, 1950, he was arrested and the following year he was sentenced to life in prison. He was granted amnesty in 1964. On March 14, 1990, after the [[Romanian Revolution of 1989|fall of the Communist regime]], he was appointed Archbishop of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, and was made a cardinal the following year.<ref>Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60</ref>


After more than 40 years of clandestine existence, the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic re-emerged publicly, in the wake of the [[Romanian Revolution]]. Normative act 9/31, passed on December 31, 1989, repealed Decree 358/1948 (that outlawed the Greek-Catholic Church) as repugnant and bringing grave prejudice upon the Romanian State.
After more than 40 years of clandestine existence, the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic re-emerged publicly, in the wake of the [[Romanian Revolution]]. Normative Act 9/31, passed on December 31, 1989, repealed Decree 358/1948 (that outlawed the Greek-Catholic Church) as repugnant and bringing grave prejudice upon the Romanian state.


Only after much struggle and considerable delays, some of the Church's properties, in particular the [[cathedral]]s of Cluj, Blaj, Lugoj, and Oradea, were restored to their rightful owner. However, much of the original property remains in Romanian Orthodox or government hands, as the persecution started in 1948 has led to a marked reduction in the numbers of Romanian Greek Catholic faithful. After 40 years of Communist rule and forced assimilation into the regime-approved Orthodox Church, numerous Romanian cradle Greek-Catholics remained in the Romanian Orthodox Church, at least on paper, and it is unclear how many of these nominal Orthodox members remain [[crypto-Christian|crypto-Catholic]], especially in northern [[Transylvania]] where most Greek Catholics lived (as shown on the maps to the right). Other Greek Catholic Romanians switched to the Latin Church, and now account for the second-largest group in that denomination after Hungarians. The Romanian Catholic Church United with Rome is still undergoing a process of recovery from the wounds inflicted by the Communist rulers and the forced merger.
Only after much struggle and considerable delays, some of the Church's properties, in particular the [[cathedral]]s of Cluj, Blaj, Lugoj, and Oradea, were restored to their rightful owner. However, much of the original property remains in Romanian Orthodox or government hands, as the persecution started in 1948 has led to a marked reduction in the numbers of Romanian Greek Catholic faithful. After 40 years of Communist rule and forced assimilation into the regime-approved Orthodox Church, numerous Romanian cradle Greek-Catholics remained in the Romanian Orthodox Church, at least on paper, and it is unclear how many of these nominal Orthodox members remain [[crypto-Christian|crypto-Catholic]], especially in northern [[Transylvania]] where most Greek Catholics lived (as shown on the maps to the right). Other Greek Catholic Romanians switched to the Latin Church, and now account for the second-largest group in that denomination after Hungarians. The Romanian Church United with Rome is still undergoing a process of recovery from the wounds inflicted by the Communist rulers and the forced merger.


===Property issues since the fall of Communism===
===Property issues since the fall of Communism===
Line 139: Line 140:
==Hierarchy==
==Hierarchy==
'''Ecclesiastical Province of Fagaras and Alba Iulia'''
'''Ecclesiastical Province of Fagaras and Alba Iulia'''
* [[Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia|Romanian Catholic Archeparchy of Fagaraș and Alba Iulia]]
** [[Archdiocese of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia|Romanian Catholic Archeparchy of Fagaraș and Alba Iulia]]
** [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Oradea Mare|Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Oradea Mare]]
** [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Oradea Mare|Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Oradea Mare]]
** [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla|Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla]]
** [[Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla|Romanian Catholic Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla]]
Line 150: Line 151:
==See also==
==See also==
* [[History of Catholicism in Romania]]
* [[History of Catholicism in Romania]]
* [[Catholic Church in Romania]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://bisericaromanaunita.ro/ "Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică" (in Romanian)]
* [https://bisericaromanaunita.ro/ "Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică" (in Romanian)]


{{Particular churches sui iuris footer}}
{{Hierarchy of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church by eparchy}}
{{Heads of the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic}}
{{Heads of the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic}}
{{Romanian Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
{{Romanian Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
{{Catholicism}}
{{Christianity in Romania}}
{{Christianity footer}}
{{Romanian religions}}
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{{coord|46.1735|N|23.9208|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}

Latest revision as of 05:41, 20 November 2024

See also: Catholic Church in Romania
Romanian Greek Catholic Church
Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Blaj
TypeEastern Christianity
ClassificationCatholic
OrientationEastern Catholic
ScriptureBible
TheologyCatholic theology
PolityEpiscopal
PopeFrancis
ArchbishopLucian Mureșan
Bishops7
Eparchies7
Vicariates3
Parishes1,240
Deaneries75
LanguageRomanian
LiturgyByzantine Rite
HeadquartersHoly Trinity Cathedral, Blaj
TerritoryRomania, United States of America and Canada
Possessions
Origin1698
Recognition1700
Separated fromEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (1698)
Members498,658 (2017 Catholic estimate),[1] 150,593 in the 2011 Romanian census,[2] 115,364 in the 2021 Romanian census [3] 6,000 in North America in 2020[4]
Priests882
Places of worship413
Official websitebisericaromanaunita.ro
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The Romanian Greek Catholic Church[a] or Romanian Church United with Rome is a sui iuris Eastern Catholic Church, in full union with the Catholic Church. It has the rank of a Major Archiepiscopal Church and it uses the Byzantine liturgical rite in the Romanian language. It is part of the Major Archiepiscopal Churches of the Catholic Church that are not distinguished with a patriarchal title.

Cardinal Lucian Mureșan, Archbishop of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, has served as the head of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church since 1994. On December 16, 2005, as the Romanian Church United with Rome, the Greek-Catholic church was elevated to the rank of a Major Archiepiscopal Church by Pope Benedict XVI, with Lucian Mureșan becoming its first major archbishop. Mureşan was made a cardinal, at the consistory of February 18, 2012.

Besides the Archeparchy of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, there are five more Greek-Catholic eparchies in Romania (Eparchy of Oradea Mare, Eparchy of Cluj-Gherla, Eparchy of Lugoj, Eparchy of Maramureș, and Eparchy of Saint Basil the Great of Bucharest),[5] as well as one eparchy overseas, the Romanian Catholic Eparchy of St George's in Canton, answering directly to the Major Archbishop and the Holy See, in the United States of America and Canada.[6]

According to data published in the 2016 Annuario Pontificio, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church had 504,280 members, 8 bishops, 1,225 parishes, some 835 diocesan priests and 235 seminarians of its own rite at the end of 2012.[7] However, according to the 2011 Romanian government census, the number of its followers living in Romania was as low as 150,593, of whom 124,563 are ethnic Romanians.[8] By 2022, however, the church estimated their numbers have grown to 488,000, as many citizens whose ancestors had converted to Orthodoxy or embraced Marxist-Leninist atheism under the Communist regime have chosen to rejoin the Greek Catholic Church.[9]

The vast majority of the Romanian diocesan priests in Romania are married.[10]

In addition, there are five other Catholic dioceses in Romania, belonging to the Latin Church, whose members are more numerous.

History

[edit]
See also: Union of Uzhhorod and Counter-Reformation
Administrative map of the Greek-Catholic (Unified) Church in Romania
The Greek-Catholic Church in Mediaș, built by bishop Ioan Bob
The old Greek-Catholic Church in Sibiu, built by bishop Grigore Maior

Following the Habsburg conquest of Transylvania in 1687, Metropolitan Atanasie Anghel entered into full communion with the See of Rome by the Act of Union of 1698, that was formalized by a synod of bishops on September 4, 1700. This was part of the process the unification of the Romanian Orthodox population to the Catholic Church (Rome's Church) newly created Greek Catholic Church, the former Orthodox Church of Romanians from Transylvania. [11]

By entering into the Union, Atanasie and the other bishops, along with their respective dioceses, accepted the supreme authority of the Pope, while at the same time being granted the right to keep their own Greek Byzantine liturgical rite. A diploma issued by the Emperor Leopold I declared that Transylvania's Romanian Orthodox Church is one with the Catholic Church and Holy See. Transylvanian Romanians were therefore encouraged to convert to Catholicism and join to the Romanian Unified Church (Greek-Catholic Church), while being able to retain the Byzantine rite, if at the same time they accepted four doctrinal points promulgated by the Council of Florence (1431 and 1445): the supreme authority of the Pope over the entire church; the existence of Purgatory; the Filioque clause; and the validity of the use of unleavened bread in the celebration of the Eucharist in the Latin Church (Eastern Orthodox had contended that Latin Catholic use of unleavened bread was erroneous).

The step undertaken by Metropolitan Atanasie Anghel and his Holy Synod obtained for the ethnic Romanians of Transylvania (then part of the Habsburg monarchy) equal rights with those of the other Transylvanian nations, which were part of the Unio Trium Nationum: the Hungarian nobility, the Transylvanian Saxons, and the Székely. This event coincided with the arrival of the Jesuits in Transylvania (second time), who attempted to align this province more closely with Western Europe. However, Orthodox Serbian authority and Protestant Transylvanian nobility were not willing to accept Romanians Orthodox converts,[12] and this in turn led to the formation of Romanian Orthodox movements that advocated for freedom of worship for the entire Transylvanian population – most notable the movements led by serbian monk Visarion Sarai, Nicolae Oprea Miclăuş, and the bosniac monk Sofronie of Cioara, under the influence of the dominant Serbian Orthodox Church.

In 1721, the Bishop's Residence was moved from Alba Iulia to Făgăraș, and eventually to Blaj (1737). Following this change, Blaj became a center of learning and national awakening for all Romanians.[citation needed].[13]

In 1761, Petru Pavel Aron (1709–1764), the Bishop of Făgăraș and head of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, translated Biblia Vulgata into Romanian. While the Romanian Orthodox kept Church Slavonic as the official liturgical language till 1863, the Romanian Church United with Rome has been using the Romanian vernacular ever since its inception. In the 19th century, during a time when the Hungarian government was pursuing a Magyarization policy in Transylvania, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, with the aid of the Transylvanian School (Școala Ardeleană) and the Transylvanian Memorandum, played a prominent role in resisting ethnic assimilation attempts. Moreover, many leading figures of the Romanian emancipation movement in Transylvania, such as Simion Bărnuțiu and Iuliu Maniu, began their careers as lay servants of the Greek-Catholic Church.

Additional Greek-Catholic Eparchies were eventually set up at Oradea (1777), as well as Gherla and Lugoj (1853); Blaj, under the title of Eparchy of Alba Iulia and Făgăraș, became the Metropolitan (i.e. Archiepiscopal) See. On December 16, 2005, the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church was elevated to the rank of Major Archiepiscopal Church.

Persecution under Communism

[edit]
Main article: Anti-religious campaign of Communist Romania

After assuming political power in 1948, the Communist regime, rooted in Marxist–Leninist atheism, deposed all 12 bishops of the Greek-Catholic Church on Stalin's orders. Moreover, on October 21, 1948, the 250th anniversary of the Romanian Greek Catholic Union with the Catholic Church, the regime arranged for the "voluntary" and "spontaneous" transfer of all members of the Greek-Catholic Church (decree 358/1948), that numbered more than 1,500,000[14] at the time, to the Romanian Orthodox Church; furthermore, the property rights over many of the Greek-Catholic Church's possessions, including its four cathedrals, were transferred to the Romanian Orthodox Church, while the remainder of those properties were confiscated by the Romanian State.[15]

The Greek-Catholic bishops, along with many of their priests, were accused by the newly installed Communist authorities of "antidemocratic activity". After refusing to give up their ties with the "reactionary" Holy See, they were imprisoned. At about the same time, the Orthodox Church was being "purged" of priests hostile to the Communist regime. Following this purge, the Orthodox hierarchy enjoyed good and unforced relations with the Communist authorities for the remainder of the Communist Rule of Romania.

Greek-Catholics in historical Transylvania (1850 census)
Greek-Catholics in Banat, Crișana, Maramureș and Transylvania (1930 census)
Greek-Catholics in Romania (2002 census)
Greek-Catholic presence, according to the 2002 census[16]

Iuliu Hossu, Bishop of Cluj, turned down a proposal of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch, Iustinian Marina, to convert to Orthodoxy and be named Orthodox Archbishop of Iaşi and metropolitan of Moldavia, and thereby become the official successor of the Romanian Orthodox Patriarch himself. Consequently, Hossu remained under house arrest. Year after year, he sent Memorandums to the President of the Republic, requesting that the country's laws and international agreements be observed with regard to the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church. In 1969, Pope Paul VI asked Hossu to allow himself to be made a cardinal. As Hossu was reluctant to leave Romania, the pope made him a cardinal only "in pectore", i.e. without publishing the fact, and this was only revealed on March 5, 1973, three years after Hossu's death.[17]

Another remarkable Romanian Greek-Catholic ecclesiastic of the time was Alexandru Todea (1912–2002). Secretly consecrated a bishop on November 19, 1950, he was arrested and the following year he was sentenced to life in prison. He was granted amnesty in 1964. On March 14, 1990, after the fall of the Communist regime, he was appointed Archbishop of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia, and was made a cardinal the following year.[18]

After more than 40 years of clandestine existence, the Romanian Church United with Rome, Greek-Catholic re-emerged publicly, in the wake of the Romanian Revolution. Normative Act 9/31, passed on December 31, 1989, repealed Decree 358/1948 (that outlawed the Greek-Catholic Church) as repugnant and bringing grave prejudice upon the Romanian state.

Only after much struggle and considerable delays, some of the Church's properties, in particular the cathedrals of Cluj, Blaj, Lugoj, and Oradea, were restored to their rightful owner. However, much of the original property remains in Romanian Orthodox or government hands, as the persecution started in 1948 has led to a marked reduction in the numbers of Romanian Greek Catholic faithful. After 40 years of Communist rule and forced assimilation into the regime-approved Orthodox Church, numerous Romanian cradle Greek-Catholics remained in the Romanian Orthodox Church, at least on paper, and it is unclear how many of these nominal Orthodox members remain crypto-Catholic, especially in northern Transylvania where most Greek Catholics lived (as shown on the maps to the right). Other Greek Catholic Romanians switched to the Latin Church, and now account for the second-largest group in that denomination after Hungarians. The Romanian Church United with Rome is still undergoing a process of recovery from the wounds inflicted by the Communist rulers and the forced merger.

Property issues since the fall of Communism

[edit]

Since the fall of Communism, Church leaders have claimed that the Romanian Greek-Catholic Community is facing a cultural and religious wipe-out: the Greek-Catholic churches are allegedly being destroyed by representatives of the Romanian Orthodox Church, whose actions allegedly enjoy not only the acceptance, but also the support of the Romanian authorities.[19][better source needed]

Hierarchy

[edit]

Ecclesiastical Province of Fagaras and Alba Iulia

Immediately subject to the Holy See

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Romanian: Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică; Latin: Ecclesia Graeco-Catholica Romaniae

References

[edit]
  1. ^ https://cnewa.org/source-images/Roberson-eastcath-statistics/eastcatholic-stat17.pdf The Eastern Catholic Churches 2017]. cnewa.org
  2. ^ "Rezultate 2011 - Recensamantul Populatiei si Locuintelor".
  3. ^ Primele date provizorii pentru Recensământul Populației și Locuințelor, runda 2021, p. 15, 16
  4. ^ "Eparchy of Saint George's in Canton, USA (Romanian Rite)".
  5. ^ "Romanian Church". Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  6. ^ "RomanianCatholic.org". Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  7. ^ Ronald Roberson. "The Eastern Catholic Churches 2016" (PDF). Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Retrieved 29 November 2016. Information sourced from Annuario Pontificio 2012 edition
  8. ^ 2011 Romanian census official data.
  9. ^ US State Dept 2022 report
  10. ^ Galadza, Peter (2010). "Eastern Catholic Christianity". In Parry, Kenneth (ed.). The Blackwell companion to Eastern Christianity. Blackwell companions to religion. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. p. 303. ISBN 978-1-4443-3361-9.
  11. ^ The Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism (New York: Harper Collins, 1995) 1132.
  12. ^ "Major dates from the history of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church". Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  13. ^ Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 1132; James Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation in Transylvania," in John-Paul Himka, James T. Flynn, James Niessen, eds. Religious Compromise, Political Salvation: the Greek Catholic Church and Nation-building in Eastern Europe (Pittsburgh: Carl Beck Papers, 1993). (ordered via USMAI); received Wednesday, March 11, 2009): 49–51
  14. ^ Markham, Reuben (1950). Communists Crush Churches in Eastern Europe. Boston: Meador Publishing Co. p. 66.
  15. ^ Harper-Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, 1132; Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation", 59–60
  16. ^ "Recensământ 2002". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  17. ^ Niessen, "the Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60.
  18. ^ Niessen, "The Greek Catholic Church and the Romanian Nation," 60
  19. ^ "The Romanian Greek-Catholic Community is facing a cultural and religious wipe-out – letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton". Retrieved 10 January 2017.
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