The Romanian Orthodox Church and higher education: between academic freedom and constraint

Oliviu Felecan

doi:10.17684/i11a164en

Abstract

This study is likely to cause certain controversies, as it deals with problems of the way in which academic rights and freedom of expression are interpreted in the twenty-first century in a state of the European Union in which the Romanian Orthodox Church is trying to impose certain restrictions based on abuse of authority and dominant power. The continuous intrusion of the Romanian Orthodox Church in universities may be construed as a constant attack on university autonomy, as a wish to subordinate and control the academic milieu, under the pretext of managing theological matters. Theologians’ scientific and teaching activity should depend on their merits exclusively, not on obtaining the consent of a bishop who, most often, does not pertain to the system of higher education.

Highlights

CorpusThis study analyses certain paragraphs of an official administrative document that is aimed at the educational system, in general, and university teaching staff with theological training, in particular
Orthodox Church in universities may be construed as a constant attack on university autonomy, as a wish to subordinate and control the academic milieu, under the pretext of managing theological matters
The total control that the Romanian Orthodox Church wishes to have over the society and the ideas it promotes is salient in education, in the implementation of religious education classes for thirteen

Summary

Corpus

This study analyses certain paragraphs of an official administrative document that is aimed at the educational system, in general, and university teaching staff with theological training, in particular. The Holy Synod sanctions that Romanian Orthodox theologians must obtain the written consent of their Bishop and the blessing (approval) of the Patriarch of All Romania if they wish to become members of Orthodox, interconfessional or interreligious theological associations or charitable bodies, as well as to participate in international theological events as speakers; 3. The Holy Synod sanctions that Romanian Orthodox theologians will obtain the blessing (approval) of the Patriarch of All Romania to participate in international theological events as speakers if they submit to the Department for Theological Educational of the Patriarchate Administration a written request, along with the written consent of their Bishop, their curriculum vitae and a description of the topic of the event and of the subject of the paper they will deliver”. It was not published in Monitorul Oficial al României (‘The Official Gazette of Romania’), as is compulsory in the case of legal documents.

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