Romanian Bishop Tells Priests To Keep Accounts

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian Orthodox bishop has told his priests to issue receipts for blessings and baptisms.

Romanian Orthodox priests traditionally perform baptisms and bless houses, cars and even animals at the beginning of the year to coincide with Epiphany.

Believers pay an informal fee to the priest who customarily does what he sees fit with it.

However, the Metropolitan of Transylvania, Laurentiu Streza, told priests in an interview with Agerpres news agency Monday they must account for the money.

Streza said funds raised from “the pastoral mission” would be used for the parish. He said he trusted priests would be honest in the eyes of God.

There was no immediate comment from the Metropolitan’s office in Sibiu. More than 80 percent of Romanians are Christian Orthodox.