RELIGIE ŞI PRIGOANĂ. MĂSURI OPRESIVE ASUPRA ELITEI PREOŢEŞTI ŞÎ A CREDINCIOŞILOR GRECO-CATOLICI DIN COMUNA FELDRU (BISTRIŢA)
RELIGION AND PERSECUTION. A BRIEF LOOK ON THE HARDSHIPS THE CATHOLIC PREACHERS AND BELIEVERS FROM FELDRU ( BN ) WERE CONFRONTED WITH ( 1948-1989 )

Summary/Abstract: Before 1948 the Catholic community from Feldru ( BN ) was very appreciated. Since then a lot of changes came so that this Catholic parish had to be abolished by all means. Using all the strategies, the priest had to be transfered to Orthodoxism, not only theoretically (the fact was a “piece-of-cake” for communist authorities) but also practical (which was not very easy). The priest and believers tried hard to maintain their confession. But the problem was how? The first risk - and a permanent one - was that you could have been arrested every moment. Father Traian Buzilă refuzed to transfere to Orthodoxism and he was arrested. The State Security destroyed a lot of religious objects and confiscated also lots of religious books. They tried to intimidate Father’s family; his wife, after a lot of threats, was dismissed from school where she was teaching. They were afraid the children could be trained in Catholic tradition. The priest’s children became a real danger because, they said, they could continue to spread the Catholic religion. So, they were forced to leave school and continue their training elsewhere. From time to time, family members were called to Security to be verified. Home searches did not cease; they tried to find out if books and cult objects for Catholic religion still existed. Step by step icons and cult objects for Catholic religion were replaced and the walls were painted in Orthodox style. Unfortunately, the Catholic religion lost its proper characteristics. Some of the books and objects were rescued by the Catholic believers. Now these can be admired in the new Catholic Church from Feldru. The Catholic priests continued to celebrate Holy Liturgies, but secretely. Father Eugen Sârbu is cought by “Miliţia” during the religious service because he was told on. Unfortunately, some people really gave infomation about Catholic Liturgy. Though, the Catholic priest and believers did not give up; those who transferred to Orthodoxism were members of the Communist Party or civil servants. The conclusion of our paper is that three major factors contributed to the demolishment of the Catholic Church: the Communist Party, Security system and Romanian Orthodox Church. After 1989 the Communist Party and Security were removed; the third factor, Romanian Orthodox Church has to repair the great mistake, now or in the near future.

• Details
• Contents