Abstract: În contextul declarării de către Sfântul Sinod al Bisericii Ortodoxe Române a anului 2021 ca An omagial al pastorației românilor din afara României, Mitropolia Ortodoxă Română a Europei Occidentale și Meridionale, în parteneriat cu Centrul Ortodox de Studii și Cercetare „Dumitru Stăniloae” din Paris și cu Centrul de Studii Misionare și Nomocanonice al Facultății de Teologie Ortodoxă a Universității „Babeș Bolyai” din Cluj-Napoca, organizează un program de cercetare care se va desfășura pe durata a 3 ani, dedicat analizării acestei teme, intitulat: Diaspora ortodoxă română. Misiune, provocări, perspective. În cadrul inițiativei sunt încurajați doctoranzi, doctori, cercetători și cadre didactice din diferite domenii ale teologiei, istoriei și sociologiei pentru întocmirea unui set de studii și analize ce vor fi valorizate pe parcursul a trei ani prin conferințe, dezbateri și publicații, pentru a înțelege mai bine misiunea, perspectivele și provocările pastorației românilor din Occident.
Keywords: Solemn Year dedicated to the pastoral care for Romanians abroad, Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, „Dumitru Stăniloae” Orthodox Centre for Studies and Research, Centre for Mission and Nomocanonical Studies of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology – „Babeș Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca, Romanian Orthodox diaspora, pastoral-missiony, research programme
Summary: In the context of the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church declaring year 2021 as Solemn Year dedicated to the pastoral care for Romanians abroad, the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Western and Southern Europe, in partnership with „Dumitru Stăniloae” Orthodox Centre for Studies and Research in Paris and the Centre for Mission and Nomocanonical Studies of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology – „Babeș Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca, organize a 3-year research programme centered around this topic, entitled: Romanian Orthodox diaspora. Mission, challenges, perspectives. The research programme was launched during a debate-conference conducted online on April 8, 2021. On this occasion, His Eminence Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe, Pr. prof. Daniel Benga of Ludwig-Maximilians University – Munich, Pr. prof. Constantin Coman of Bucharest, Pr. Nicholas Apostola, administrative vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, Mr Jean Louis Chancerel, counsellor in the Department for Communication and Mass-Media of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of Western Europe, academic and researcher with extensive experience with European academic projects, highlighted the complexity of this topic and the aspects worth investigating. The conference was attended by hierarchs, members of „Dumitru Stăniloae” Orthodox Centre for Studies and Research, Paris and of the Centre for Mission and Nomocanonical Studies of „Babeș-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca, as well as professors, researchers, doctors and doctoral students interested in the topic of this programme, from the main Faculties of Orthodox Theology in Romania.
This research programme aims to follow a number of lines of research to which fresh ones may be added at the suggestion of the participants. One line of research lies in evaluating the migration phenomenon, the emergence and growth of the Romanian Orthodox diaspora. A second line of research aims to evaluate the manner in which Romanian Orthodox diaspora relates to the social-political context. A third one aims to evaluate the manner in which Romanian Orthodox communities abroad relate to the pan-Orthodox context. Another line of research will evaluate the manner
in which the Romanian communities abroad relate to the interdenominational context. Over the three years of the programme, three academic conferences will be held, inviting participants with relevant and presenting the interim conclusions of research.
Also, in order to anchor theoretical aspects to actual realities, internships will be organized with various communities of the diaspora and communities of Romania which maintain close relationships with parishes abroad. This research programme is intended to highlight aspects able to enhance the pastoral-missiony dynamics of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and tap into the
opportunities provided by the ecclesial and social-cultural realities of our times.
Pr. conf. univ. dr. Patriciu Vlaicu – Facultatea de Teologie Ortodoxă a Universității „Babeș Bolyai” din Cluj-Napoca; membru al Centrului de Studii Misionare și Nomocanonice al Facultății de Teologie Ortodoxă; membru asociat al Centrului Ortodox de Studii și Cercetare „Dumitru Stăniloae” din Paris; coordonator al proiectului de cercetare „Diaspora ortodoxă română. Misiune, provocări, perspective”; e-mail: pvlaicu@gmail.com
