God, the Head of State and the EU in Search of Legitimacy. Study Case for Romania

Abstract

The thesis is based on historical facts, theological aspects, and political discourses to present the particular case of Romania where the Church has played a central role in politics and in the process of constructing the nation. To start with, several theories developed by academicians, philosophers and researches in international relations regarding the Church-state relations are presented. To continue, the particular case regarding the mainly political discourse about the Romanian orthodoxy identity will be presented. The political independence of Romania emphasized the necessity to mobilize a national effort, and thus the ecclesiastical elites participate, alongside with the politicians, in the action of formulating a national project, using a discourse founded on the symbiosis between nation and orthodoxy. The transitions of religion in Romania and the political implications will also be emphasized, starting from the Romanian principalities, to the independent state, the communist period, and up to the contemporary days. Once Romania joined the European Union the entry into force of the law of religious freedom and the general regime of the denominations changed the normative statute of religion within the Romanian public space. These changes and the challenges brought about will be analyzed with regard to the ecumenical movement. The seek of a European model of religions is still in debate given that the state, the church, and the citizens do not share the same religion or pattern of administration of the Church by the state. With the accession of several new Member States to the European Union, the Union is enriched by new experiences and different needs and challenges concerning religion.