Romanian Orthodox Diocese urges faithful to declare Romanian identity in Australia’s 2026 Census

The Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Australia and New Zealand is encouraging Romanians living in Australia to declare both their Romanian ethnicity and their Orthodox Christian faith in the 2026 Australian Census.

According to a press release issued by the Diocese, the census data helps provide an accurate picture of the Romanian and Orthodox communities in Australia.

“The census does not ask how deeply we believe—it asks how clearly we declare our identity where it matters: in the records of a nation.”

“To be Romanian and Orthodox Christian is not only a mystery of the soul, but also a truth that we have a duty to declare,” the message states.

‘We are Romanians and Orthodox Christians’ The Diocese encourages Romanians completing the census form to declare their Romanian ancestry, indicate Romanian as the language spoken at home where applicable, and, if they are Orthodox Christians, state their religious affiliation accordingly.

The Diocese also drew attention to elderly members of the community who may need assistance in completing the census, noting that helping them contributes to “a more accurate record of the Romanian and Orthodox presence and identity in…