Casus belli

In case you did not notice it already, the recently-appointed head of the Romanian Orthodox Church is taking an increasingly agressive and assertive stance in relation to what it regards as its rightful monopoly over Romanian souls and (also) minds. The following are just a few worrisome developments of late that indicate such approach.

1. The project for the People’s Cathedral was given the go ahead by the Government and will probably proceed despite widespread protest. The proposed location alone – behind the horrendous pile of the People’s House – proves we have learned nothing from the past;
2. The audio-visual watchdog (CNA) is recommending private cable operators to include in their offer the Orthodox Church-owned TV station Trinitas;
3. Evolutionism was quietly removed from school curricula;
4. There is widespread resistance from all segments of society, as well as from sections of the Government to implementing in good faith the court decisions mandating the elimination of religious symbols from schools;
5. Most recently following negotiations between the recognized religions and the Government the teaching of religion in school became mandatory for kids up to 16 years of age;
6. The main public radio station is ignoring calls to eliminate the prayer broadcast at the beginning and end of its daily programme together with the national anthem

The most frequently cited reason used by the State to justify cozying up with the Church is the good influence that this institution supposedly has on the morals of the country and education of youth. It would be - the argument goes - a counterbalance to violence, drugs etc. There are at least three problems with this argument. First, Orthodox clergy at all levels are compromised by strong suspicions of having collaborated with the Communist Securitate which they managed to dodge so far. Second, the Church is an inherently intolerant teacher; moreover, their teachings may contradict some of the present policies of the State. Third,by allowing the Church to permeate all fields of life,populist politicians and arguments (ie Becali) are given an unexpected lease of life. And we don't want that.