Patriarch Daniel discusses religious freedom, Ukraine and youth challenges with senior US diplomat

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church received Riley Barnes , US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom and Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, at the Patriarchal Residence on Thursday, 17 September 2026.

Darryl Nirenberg, United States Ambassador to Romania, also attended, along with representatives of the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Bucharest.

Patriarch Daniel welcomed Ambassador Barnes and the other members of the American delegation and gave a concise overview of religious freedom in Romania.

His Beatitude noted that Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees religious freedom in Romania, protecting freedom of conscience and belief for all citizens.

He also highlighted Law No. 489/2006, known as the Law on Religious Denominations, which states that “the Romanian state recognises the spiritual, educational, social-charitable and cultural role of religious denominations, as well as their role in social partnership and their status as factors of social peace. The Romanian state recognises the important role of the Romanian Orthodox Church and of the other recognised churches…