Klaus Iohannis: This year, crucial for Romania, Cardinal Iuliu Hossu’s words – call for unity, courage

President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, sent a message on Wednesday on the occasion of the ‘Cardinal Iuliu Hossu Year’ commemorative session, in which he said that this year is crucial for Romania and recalled the words spoken by the cardinal – ‘Our faith is our life!’ – adding that these words can become ‘a powerful call for civic consciousness, unity and courage, solidarity with others and with the future of our country’, according to Agerpres.

”Our faith is our life!’ These words of Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, spoken during a time of great trials for the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, have a special significance in this commemorative year dedicated to him, and also in a crucial year for Romania. They are the words that summarise the choice made by Iuliu Hossu, Greek-Catholic bishop of Cluj-Gherla, to resist the communist persecutors who asked him to renounce his faith, abandon his mission, and the church he shepherded. They are also words that can become a strong call for us to have civic consciousness, unity, courage, solidarity with our fellow citizens and with the future of our country,’ said the head of state in the message presented by State Advisor Catalina Galer during the event held at the Romanian Academy.

According to President Klaus Iohannis, the event provides the opportunity to honour the great example of moral strength and martyr-like faith demonstrated by Cardinal Iuliu Hossu.

‘Iuliu Hossu embraced the ideals of the Romanians and, through a providential act, read, on December 1, 1918, the Declaration of Alba Iulia. The political unity of the Romanians from all historical provinces of the country was founded and nurtured by their unity of faith, from a deep sense of fraternity, to which Cardinal Iuliu Hossu gave voice, saying: ‘Just as you see us today embracing each other as brothers, may all Romanian brothers remain embraced forever!’,’ added the head of state.

Cardinal Iuliu Hossu made a fundamental contribution to the consolidation of national unity, both as a church leader and as a senator in the Romanian Parliament, ‘cultivating a spirit of institutional cohesion and authentic solidarity for the fulfillment of the common good,’ said President Iohannis.

‘The special attention given to education, preserving ecclesiastical heritage, and supporting disadvantaged categories illustrates the quality of the high prelate’s vocation. His spiritual nobility was matched by the courage with which he acted to help others, regardless of ethnicity or confession. On April 2, 1944, Iuliu Hossu made a call urging everyone to help the Jews subjected to violence. The legal prohibition of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church and the arrest of the bishop in 1948, along with other Greek-Catholic bishops such as Valeriu Traian Frentiu, Alexandru Rusu, Ioan Balan, Ioan Suciu, Vasile Aftenie, and Tit Liviu Chinezu, marked a climax in the suffering inflicted on him by the communist authorities. Aware of the persecution endured by the Church and the faithful, Iuliu Hossu remained steadfast in defending his faith and believed until the end in the redeeming power of sacrifice, in the duty to resist in the face of evil,’ the head of state further mentioned.

He also noted that this year, as Christians celebrate 1700 years since the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and as the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church honour their martyr saints, we become participants in the miracle of solidarity through faith.

Cardinal Iuliu Hossu in Communist Prisons

Cardinal Iuliu Hossu, a symbol of resistance and faith in the face of the communist regime, was arrested in 1948 along with other Greek-Catholic bishops following the banning of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church. Iuliu Hossu refused to renounce his faith and endured inhumane conditions in communist prisons.

Persecution and Imprisonment

After his arrest, Iuliu Hossu was imprisoned in several locations, including Sighetu Marmației, where he faced extremely harsh detention conditions. Despite the suffering, he remained steadfast in his faith and continued to fulfil his spiritual mission, providing moral support to other prisoners.

Resistance and Faith

During his imprisonment, Hossu demonstrated extraordinary moral strength, refusing to collaborate with communist authorities and to abandon his faith. He became a symbol of resistance against oppression and an example of courage and devotion for Greek-Catholic believers and beyond.

Spiritual Legacy

Cardinal Iuliu Hossu was beatified by Pope Francis in 2019, recognising his sacrifice and devotion to faith and nation. His spiritual legacy continues to inspire generations of believers and stands as an example of unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

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