New bishops, new church signs of Eastern Catholic revival in Romania

Published: 2007-12-21

BUCHAREST, Romania (CNS) -- The Romanian Catholic Church, an Eastern rite suppressed under communism, is experiencing a revival. In December 2005, Pope Benedict XVI elevated its status to a major archbishopric, granting it greater autonomy. This December, two young bishops were installed as auxiliaries for the Archdiocese of Fagaras and Alba Iulia, which includes the capital, Bucharest. Auxiliary Bishops Mihai Fratila, 37, and Vasile Bizau, 38, were installed Dec. 16. "The Greek Catholic church is going on and on and growing up," Bishop Florentin Crihalmeanu of Cluj told Catholic News Service. "The Lord is with us. People keep coming back, more every month. Our church witnesses so many miracles, despite the many obstacles." In September, when Bishop Crihalmeanu, 48, consecrated Descent of the Holy Spirit Church, 2,000 people thronged the square outside the new building. The church is one of the few new buildings in a country where Eastern Catholics, sometimes referred to as Greek Catholics, have fought for return of property expropriated under the communist regimes.

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