Romania: Construction of a church for the Byzantine Catholic community in Tirgu Mures

Extension and furnishing of the Greek-Catholic church in Tirgu Mures. A picture of the community. @ACN
Extension and furnishing of the Greek-Catholic church in Tirgu Mures. A picture of the community. @ACN

"In view of the situation and the historical circumstances, the Greek Catholic Church in Tirgu Mures holds a particular position. We beg you to support this project if it is at all possible." So writes Archbishop Lucian Muresan, Major Archbishop of Făgăraş and Alba Iulia.

Tirgu Mures lies within the diocese, or eparchy, of Alba Iulia in western Romania. Until now the parish has never had a church of its own. "The Sacred Liturgy is held in a public call, rented from the town council", the archbishop explains. However, this hall is far too small for the congregation, since it can accommodate no more than 135 people, whereas there are a total of 1453 Catholic faithful in the parish, of whom over 450 regularly attend the Sunday liaturgies. In addition to the regular worship, the hall is also used for religious instruction and meetings of the parish social care agency.

Now, after seemingly endless negotiations with the authorities, the parish has finally been able to obtain a building which it is hoping to extend and convert for use as a church. "Here is where both the liturgical and the pastoral and social activities with the children, young people and adults will be held", Archbishop Muresan writes. The man responsible for the 100 or so children and young people is the parish priest, Father Fodor Dan, who is very popular with the young people and does a great deal with his youth group. For example, they travel together on pilgrimages, explore and study the towns, go on camping trips and have fun afternoons. They pray and laugh together, and so experience a sense of community, rooted in God's love.

Father Fodor Dan has asked the support of ACN for the planned new church, since neither the parish nor the diocese can raise the necessary funds. Thanks to the generous donations of ACN's benefactors, we were able to grant the parish of Tirgu Mures a subsidy of €12,000 towards the cost. May God reward their generosity!

To know about this and many other similar projects in favour of the pastoral needs of the suffering Church, please contact our national offices.