Article 6 ECHR and restitution of church property in Romania

In 1948 the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church [Biserica Română Unită cu Roma, Greco-Catolică] was abolished by Decree No. 358/1948. Its members were obliged to adhere to the Romanian Orthodox Church and its property was transferred to the Orthodox Church by Decree No. 177/1948. After the fall of the Ceaușescu regime in 1989, Decree No. 358/1948 was repealed and some of the Church’s properties, including the cathedrals of Cluj, Blaj, Lugoj and Oradea, have since been restored to its ownership; however, much of the original property remains in Romanian Orthodox or Government hands. Continue reading