Patriarch Daniel receives European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu
Updated: 24 hours ago
On Friday, 11 September 2026, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania received Mrs.Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, at the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest. The meeting focused particularly on education, support for children and young people, social inclusion, and the prospects for closer cooperation between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the European Commission.
During the discussions, special attention was given to the contribution of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the education and formation of children and young people, including its educational and catechetical programmes aimed at preventing early school-leaving.
His Beatitude highlighted the importance of cooperation between family, Church, school and local authorities, especially in responding to the difficulties faced by children in vulnerable or disadvantaged communities.
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu expressed appreciation for the Church’s extensive work among vulnerable children and for its nationwide network of people and institutions capable of supporting educational and social initiatives.
Both sides stressed the importance of bringing together the resources and experience of the Church and public institutions in responding to the social, educational, spiritual and emotional needs of young people. The meeting confirmed the potential for stronger cooperation between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the European Commission in the educational, cultural and social fields.
The visit also offered the European Commission delegation an opportunity to become acquainted with several concrete initiatives of the Romanian Patriarchate. Before the meeting, the delegation visited the construction site of the St Elijah Youth Activities Centre in Pantelimon, a project co-financed by the European Union, through the 2021–2027 Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme.
Following the audience with His Beatitude, the delegation visited the Palace of the Patriarchate, the National Cathedral, and the St Sophia Day Centre for Children, which provides social, educational, psychological and medical support to children from vulnerable families.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Patriarch Daniel presented Executive Vice-President Mînzatu with the Diploma and Medal of the 2026 Solemn Year of the Pastoral Care of the Christian Family.
Photo credit: Ziarul Lumina/Luigi Ivanciu
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