The Romanian Patriarchate emphasised on Tuesday that the participation of children and young people in Religious Education classes represents a constitutional right, issuing a series of clarifications on the matter following the appearance of journalistic materials that question the alleged illegal teaching of this subject.
According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday by the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate, the Constitution stipulates that "the Romanian state guarantees freedom of religious education, in accordance with the specific requirements of each religious denomination. In state schools, religious education is organised and guaranteed by law" (Article 32, paragraph 7), agerpres reports.
"At the same time, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one's religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance' (Article 18). Therefore, the participation of children and young people in Religious Education classes is a constitutional right, further regulated through Law no. 489/2006 on religious freedom and the general status of religious denominations, Law no. 198/2023 on pre-university education, and the Methodology for teaching the subject of Religion (approved by Order of the Minister of National Education no. 7,047 of 22 December 2025, with content similar to the Methodology approved by Order no. 5,232 of 14 September 2015 and amended by Order no. 3,218 of 16 February 2018)," the Patriarchate points out.
The release also mentions provisions of Law no. 198/2023 and of the Methodology for teaching Religion, which ensure both the constitutional right to attend Religion classes and the freedom of conscience. The Patriarchate argues that grading in Religion classes is essential, as assessment is a fundamental feature of any school subject. Removing grades would undermine Religion;'s status as part of the core curriculum. Grades motivate learning, reflect pupils' effort, and ensure that their academic and moral development is properly recognised and valued.
The Patriarchate further recalls that in Romania, Religion was the first subject listed in school registers until the atheist communist regime, and notes that in the majority of European countries, Religion is taught confessionally. In several European Union member states, one hour per week is allocated to Religion (for example, in Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden), while two hours per week are allocated in others (such as Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Malta).
"The inclusion of Religion in European education systems reflects pedagogical and institutional continuity, as well as recognition of the educational value of Christian principles in shaping human development at cognitive, emotional, volitional and attitudinal levels. Religious Education supports the formation of personal identity, promotes understanding of humanity's cultural heritage, and offers elements of applied morality essential to the spiritual well-being of both individuals and communities. Religious denominations endorse a holistic approach to education and cooperate in developing shared components of school curricula. As a result, a large number of pupils choose to participate in and enrol in Religion classes," the Patriarchate further states.
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