On the occasion of the appearance of journalistic materials questioning an alleged “illegal” teaching of the Religion subject, the Patriarchate of Romania provides the following clarifications:
According to the Constitution of Romania, “The Romanian State ensures the freedom of religious education, according to the specific requirements of each denomination. In public schools, religious education is organized and guaranteed by law” (Article 32, paragraph 7). Furthermore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, as well as freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief, alone or in community with others, publicly or privately, through teaching, practice, worship, and observance” (Article 18).
Therefore, the participation of children and young people in Religion classes is a constitutional right, further established by Law No. 489/2006 on religious freedom and the general status of religions, by the Pre-university Education Law No. 198/2023, and by the Methodology for teaching the Religion subject (approved by the Order of the Minister of National Education No. 7,047/22 December 2025, with content similar to the Methodology for organizing the teaching of the Religion subject in pre-university education, approved by the Order of the Minister of Education and Scientific Research No. 5,232/14 September 2015 and amended by the Order of the Minister of National Education No. 3,218/16 February 2018).
The Pre-university Education Law No. 198/2023 provides: “The core curricula of primary, middle, and high school education include Religion as a school subject, part of the common core. Students belonging to state-recognized denominations, regardless of their number in a school unit, are guaranteed the constitutional right to participate in Religion classes according to their own faith. Enrollment for attending Religion classes is made through a written request by the adult student or by the parents/legal guardian for a minor student. Changing this option is also done through a written request by the adult student or by the parents/legal guardian for a minor student. If the student does not attend Religion classes, their school record is closed without the Religion subject” (Article 87, paragraphs 1-2).
According to the Methodology for teaching the Religion subject, requests to attend Religion classes are registered in Romania’s Integrated Education Information System (SIIIR). It remains valid for the entire duration of pre-university education or until the option is changed (Article 3, paragraphs 4-5). This provision ensures both the constitutional right to participate in Religion classes and the freedom of conscience, in accordance with the Pre-university Education Law No. 198/2023.
Regarding the grading of students in Religion, it should be noted that assessment is part of the specific nature of any school subject. Failing to evaluate students in Religion or finding alternative solutions instead of a grade constitutes an affront to its status as a school subject (part of the common core – also recognized by Constitutional Court Decision No. 669/2014). Grades serve as a learning incentive and are valued by students and teachers as a measure of student effort. The effort made by students in acquiring knowledge and developing moral and religious attitudes should be rewarded and recognized.
We recall that in Romania, Religion was the first subject in school records until the atheistic communist regime. Furthermore, in most European countries, Religion is taught confessionally. In several EU countries, Religion is allocated one hour per week (e.g., Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden) or two hours per week (e.g., Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta). The presence of Religion in European educational systems represents continuity at both pedagogical and institutional levels, as well as recognition and utilization of the formative-educational potential of Christian values, which the subject seeks to convey in shaping human personality at cognitive, emotional, volitional, and attitudinal levels.
The Religion subject contributes to the development of personal identity and to the understanding of humanity’s cultural values, providing elements of applied ethics essential for the spiritual health of the individual and the community. Religious denominations support comprehensive student education and collaborate in designing common elements in school programs. For this reason, a very large number of students wish to participate and are enrolled in Religion classes.
Photo credit: Basilica.ro
Source: basilica.ro
