The Romanian Orthodox Church and the Roma
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Authors
Roddy, Nicolae
Issue Date
2023
Volume
24
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Journal Article
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Abstract
Shortly after their fourteenth-century migration into the Romanian principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, an indeterminate but significantly large number of Roma families were enslaved by ruling princes, who in turn gifted many of them as property to noble and monastic estates. Their emancipation nearly five centuries later was followed by varying degrees of otherness—from toleration to deportation and death—that persisted throughout successive political regimes and social climates, all of which with varying degrees of support from the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC). As of this writing, the ROC has yet to officially acknowledge and apologize for the prolonged enslavement of Roma on Orthodox monastic estates, let alone the indignities and violence toward Romani families perpetrated by many of its clergy during the height of the nation’s fascist period in WWII. This paper briefly recounts the tragic experience of Roma in pre-modern and modern Romania, with special focus on the role of the ROC and its clergy in the abuse of Roma rights. It also acknowledges some of the rare occasions when Roma rights and dignity have been supported by enlightened clerics. Finally, in support of Roma rights organizations and initiatives by European Union and the Romanian government to promote Roma inclusion in society, it concludes with a respectful and reasoned appeal to the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchate and the Synod of Bishops to officially acknowledge and apologize for the church’s participation in Roma enslavement, believing such action would help expunge institutional sin and begin the long overdue process of reconciliation leading to a brighter, mutually beneficial future.
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Rabbi Myer and Dorothy Kripke Center, Creighton University
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1941-8450