Romanian government defends Catholic abbot targeted for eviction by Freemasonic lobby

(Lepanto Institute) — In an ongoing property dispute over the 900-year-old Norbertine Abbey of Oradea, in Romania, the country’s highest authorities have sided with the abbot against local authorities, who have been seeking the abbot’s eviction in order to seize the abbey buildings.

READ: Romania Tries to Evict Norbertine Abbey’s Abbot

In official letters, both the prime minister of Romania and the Romanian State Secretariat for Religious Affairs confirmed that the Norbertine Abbey of Oradea is protected by law and cannot be seized by municipal authorities in Oradea.

On March 6, the secretariat wrote to Abbot Anzelm Fejes, whom the mayor of Oradea has sought to evict from the abbey, confirming the legal status of his monastery under Romanian law. The secretariat assured the abbot that this response had also been communicated directly to the Oradea City Hall.

The prime minister’s chancellery, through its Directorate for Communication and Press Relations, sent the same response to the Ugar advocacy group ugar.gesta.ro, quoting the above letter of the Secretariat for Religious Affairs in full, in defense of the abbey’s rights.

READ: 900 Year Old Abbey Faces Eviction in Romania

The letter of the secretariat stated unequivocally that “sacred goods, namely those directly and exclusively dedicated to religious worship, established according to the internal statutes in conformity with the tradition and practices of each denomination and acquired with legal title, are not subject to seizure and are not subject to prescription.”

On Thursday, March 19, the Appellate Court will re-examine the whole case.

On Feb. 23, local authorities postponed the eviction of Abbot Anzelm after crowds of Catholic faithful showed up at the abbey church to protect and support him, despite rainy weather.

At the previously scheduled time for the eviction, the abbot stood openly at the steps of the church wearing the white habit of the Norbertine Order and his abbatial pectoral cross. Although police were present, they declined to arrest him.

Videos and photos of the standoff circulated online.

READ: Catholic Abbot Stood Against Police in Oradea Romania

Letter of Romanian State Secretariat for Religious Affairs

STATE SECRETARIAT FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS State Secretary

No. C-444/06.03.2026