Romanian Patriarchate opposed the legalization of prostitution

The Romanian Patriarchate has strongly opposed the draft law on the legalization of prostitution, which has been submitted to the country’s parliament. The Church emphasizes that such a legislative initiative contradicts Orthodox Christianity and the principle of respect for human dignity, while the authors of the bill claim that its goal is to bring the existing illegal market out of the shadows and strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

The Patriarchate’s official statement stresses that prostitution is a form of exploitation and commercialization of the human body. It has serious negative consequences both for the individuals involved and for society as a whole. The Romanian Church expressed its conviction that the legalization of this activity not only does not eliminate the social problems associated with prostitution, but may also contribute to their deepening. In addition, the Church recalled that Romania is a party to the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of Prostitution, which qualifies prostitution as a phenomenon incompatible with the dignity and value of the human person.

The reason for the statement was a draft law initiated by National Liberal Party MP Ion Iordache and supported by a number of parliamentarians. It is reported that the document proposes to regulate, license and place the provision of paid sexual services under state control. The authors of the initiative claim that the purpose of the bill is to bring the country’s existing illegal market out of the shadows, ensure sanitary control, protect the rights of adults and strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

Ion Iordache himself claims that this is not about promoting prostitution, but an attempt to establish strict rules, including mandatory medical examinations, limiting the places where services are provided and control by local authorities and law enforcement agencies. He cites the experience of several European countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, as examples. However, the Romanian Patriarchate said that it will continue to strongly express its position, based on the teachings of Holy Scripture and the Holy Fathers, whenever legislative initiatives clearly contradict moral values and Orthodox Christian doctrine.

Recall that on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the consecration of the National Cathedral (Cathedral of the Salvation of the Nation), the largest Orthodox church in the world, took place in the Romanian capital. The ceremony was attended by thousands of pilgrims and the country’s top officials. The service was led by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church.