The Chancellery of the Holy Synod presents canonical measures against corruption and declares that in the Romanian Orthodox Church “corrupt actions or attempts are not justified in any way”, and sanctions are provided for those involved, which may include excommunication from the Church.

The Chancellery of the Holy Synod sent a statement on Saturday presenting canonical measures against corruption, Basilica.ro and News.ro reported.

“Regarding those who do not comply with the canonical, statutory and regulatory provisions, as well as synodal decisions regarding the appointment and ordination of clergy, the Regulation on canonical disciplinary bodies and courts of the Romanian Orthodox Church defines the following:

• “Simony (corruption) is an act by which, in exchange for something of value (money, goods or favors), or through friendship, nepotism, political influence or pressure of any nature, ordination, diocese, parish, office, distinction or spiritual promotion, as well as admission, evaluation, graduation or promotion in the service of pre-university, university and postgraduate theological education” (Article 15, paragraph 1);

• “Simony is both the one who demands or imposes a bribe or an improper benefit, and the one who offers, accepts, mediates or patronizes in this” (Article 15, paragraph 2),” the office of the Holy Synod reported.

“The application of canonical sanctions depends primarily on the conscience and character of those who have responsible responsibilities in church administration”

Thus, corruption among the BOR is punished as follows: in the case of clergymen, by dismissal from the priesthood or excommunication from the church, depending on the gravity of the act; for lay people – by revoking the bishop’s blessing (written permission) to carry out certain activities in the Church; for monks – with exclusion from monasticism and a ban on wearing a monk’s robe;

“Therefore, in the Romanian Orthodox Church, in accordance with the teachings of the faith and canonical discipline, corrupt actions or attempts are in no way justified, and for those who are involved in such acts or attempts, clear sanctions are provided canonically, by the statute and the provision applied by canonical disciplinary bodies or courts of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Of course, the application of canonical measures and sanctions against corruption depends primarily on the conscience and character of the hierarchs, clergy and laity responsible for church administration,” the quoted source said.

What are the provisions regarding donations to the Church

The document sent by the office of the Holy Synod also mentions measures regarding donations.

“The law and regulations stipulate that donations made to the Church must be registered by the person responsible for the cult unit receiving the donation and then be justified, and that the donor has no right to the cult unit to which he transfers. donation

In this sense, in the Statute of the Organization and Activities of the Romanian Orthodox Church, it was established that “none of the founders, donors and benefactors has the right of ownership of a monastery, hermitage or metoch, transferred for use through consecration, use or interference in the administration, management and their spiritual life”.

At the same time, the Regulation on the management of church property clearly states that “donations of any kind and legacies are accepted only if they bring real benefit to church units”, detailing the procedure to be followed in such situations as as well as church bodies that may agree to accept donations.