EPISCOPUL MILITAR PARTENIE CIOPRON ŞI REFORMA INSTITUŢIEI CLERULUI MILITAR
Military Bishop Partenie Ciopron and the Reform of the Institution of Military Clergy

Summary/Abstract: The relation between Romanian Church and the Romanian Army is one of the oldest links between those two fundamental institutions of Romania. In this case, it can be admitted that the Institution of Military Clergy was established only during the late period of the nineteen century. For instance, in 1870, was established the Statute for Military Clergy, by Royal Decree nr.603. Also, in 1924, in Alba Iulia, the Military Bishopric has been established. During the interwar period the institution was found in a truly process of reorganization and it needed new perspectives and approaches towards these new hard times, in order to continue its entire existence. Partenie Ciopron represented the best solution in this situation and his main aim during his military clerical activity was to reform the institution. It is important to mention that, due to his military skills gathered because of his participation to the 1st World War, and his clerical knowledge, he succeeded in being the best Military Bishop and reforming the institution. The most important measures that he had taken as Military Bishop were about: consolidating the relations between the Army and Ecclesiastic members; the approval of different statutes, orders and laws for the organization and development of the Military Clergy Institution; the augmentation of the number of active military priests; to realize sketches of military cemeteries and lists with the dead soldiers on the battlefield; to publish a Journal, which was made to be the main periodical of Military Bishopric. For this research paper it has been used an interdisciplinary approach (historical perspectives, theology concepts, anthropology, arts and literature) and it is based on the analysis of documents-the journals and the materials found in the State’s Archives are the most important sources of documentation for our paper.

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