Italy Officially Recognizes Romanian Orthodox Diocese

The Romanian Orthodox community in Italy has received official recognition from the Italian state, a move hailed by Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu as a significant step for over a million Romanians living in the country.

President Sergio Mattarella has promulgated a law, passed unanimously by both chambers of the Italian Parliament, that officially acknowledges the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Italy. This legislation, effective from August, brings tangible benefits to the Romanian diaspora.

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A wedding officiated in a Romanian church in Italy will be a marriage recognized by the Italian state.

"A wedding officiated in a Romanian church in Italy will be a marriage recognized by the Italian state," explained Țoiu. The law also guarantees priests' access to hospitals for sick congregants and their presence in nursing homes. "These may seem like bureaucratic details, but for Romanians in the diaspora, they are the way a state says 'I see you, you exist, and you belong to your community.'"

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These may seem like bureaucratic details, but for Romanians in the diaspora, they are the way a state says 'I see you, you exist, and you belong to your community.'

Țoiu emphasized that the law signals to Romanians in Italy that they do not have to choose between their heritage and their life in Italy. She noted the broad political support for the law, stating, "In a period when almost nothing is unanimous, all Italian parties voted the same for Romanians, and we thank them for that."

The successful passage of the law is the result of two years of work by the Romanian Embassy in Italy and the Romanian Orthodox Diocese itself. Țoiu highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust with Romanian communities abroad, ensuring their concerns are addressed and they feel integrated into Italian society.

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In a period when almost nothing is unanimous, all Italian parties voted the same for Romanians, and we thank them for that.