Patriarch of Romania discusses religious freedom and Ukraine with US State Department official

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 Labor, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest on Thursday, September 17.

The meeting was also attended by US Ambassador to Romania Darryl Nirenberg, along with representatives of the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Bucharest.

Patriarch Daniel welcomed the American delegation and presented an overview of religious freedom in Romania. He noted that Article 29 of the Romanian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religious belief for all citizens.

He also referred to Romania’s Law No. 489/2006 on religious freedom and religious denominations, which recognizes the spiritual, educational, social-charitable and cultural role of religious communities, as well as their contribution to social peace.

For his part, Barnes thanked the Patriarch for the reception and expressed his appreciation for the faith and traditions of the Romanian people. He also referred to the complex geopolitical and religious situation in various parts of the world, including the…