Romania: towards a brighter future

Twelve years ago Romanians took to the streets to protest against the excesses of communist dictator Nicolae Ceauçescu. The protest led to a bloody uprising, which saw Mr Ceauçescu executed, the communist government toppled and the first democratic elections in five decades held. Romanians were euphoric.

n Warm smile of hope: a young girl who lives on the streets of Bucharest, with a Children’s Bible supplied by Opportunity 21

Today, that euphoria is all but forgotten as Romanians continue to grapple with the painful transition from a totalitarian system to one based on democracy and free-market principles. One of the first changes implemented after the election of In Iliescu in 1990 was a necessary program of economic reform, which sent shock waveos through all aspects of Romanian life.

Unemployment

Inflation, which was carefully controlled by the communist authorities, soared, peaking at 295 per cent in 1993. By the end of 1999 it stabilised at around 45 per cent. Jobs, which were guaranteed under the old system, became scarce under the principles of a free-market economy. By the end of 1999, unemployment had reached 16 per cent – a figure that is expected to grow significantly in the near future as the economy continues to decline.

Upheaval

This economic upheaval continues to have serious consequences for Romanian society. As the gap between rich and poor widens, church leaders and scholars have warned of a “silver curtain” that could divide communities economically, in the same way that the Iron Curtain created political divisions in Europe.

The Romanian Red Cross, too, has said that increasing poverty, worsening social conditions, natural disasters and the deteriorating public health system are creating the greatest challenges in the organisation’s 125-year history. Among the Red Cross’s concerns are the increasing numbers of vulnerable groups in Romania, such as the elderly, the very young, and the sick.

n Reading the Bible together brings a cheerful note to the drop-in centre where these street children meet

While Romanians despair at these conditions, they are also a people of great faith. After the fall of communism, there was a huge demand for Bibles as people who had been unable to openly practise their faith under the shadow of communist atheism searched for spiritual nourishment and guidance.

Demand

To help meet this demand, the UBS, together with representatives from the Romanian Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches, formed the Bible Society in Romania in 1992, which was subsequently renamed the Interconfessional Bible Society of Romania (IBSR). Today, the IBSR, headed by Dr Ioan Caraza, strives to meet the needs of the Churches, distributing more than 50,000 Scriptures a year, as well as working on an interconfessional translation of the Bible.

In secret

But the Bible Society believes that more needs to be done to reach the people of Romania with the Word of God. While some families secretly practised their faith during the communist era, others were not able to and whole generations grew up without knowing the Bible or even how to pray. Through Opportunity 21 (O-21), a global UBS Scripture initiative, the IBSR hopes to help shake off the communist legacy of atheism and help people to engage with God’s Word.

This Special Report examines how the projects that are already under way are bringing hope to people who have been most affected by Romania’s social and economic problems. From a moving story about a courageous homeless young girl to the joy of a resident in an old people’s home at receiving a Bible, these reports reflect the tremendous power of the Word of God and its capacity to transform people and situations.

God’s rules

A young girl in the sixth grade in a school in Bucharest clearly expressed her belief in the importance of God’s Word in shaping Romania’s future: