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Nicolae Corneanu, 90, Romanian Orthodox bishop who told of ties to Securitate, dies Nicolae Corneanu, 90, Romanian Orthodox bishop who told of ties to Securitate, dies
(about 5 hours later)
Nicolae Corneanu, a Romanian Orthodox bishop who was the first senior cleric to acknowledge collaborating with Romania’s feared Securitate communist secret police, died Sept. 28. He was 90.Nicolae Corneanu, a Romanian Orthodox bishop who was the first senior cleric to acknowledge collaborating with Romania’s feared Securitate communist secret police, died Sept. 28. He was 90.
He died at his residence, church spokesman Lucian Florea said. The cause was not reported.He died at his residence, church spokesman Lucian Florea said. The cause was not reported.
The bishop of Banat from 1992 until his death, Bishop Corneanu irritated Romanian Orthodox Church leaders with his nontraditional views.The bishop of Banat from 1992 until his death, Bishop Corneanu irritated Romanian Orthodox Church leaders with his nontraditional views.
In 1997, he confessed that he had been recruited as an informer in 1948 when he was arrested by the communists. He said he had signed papers that had led to the 1981 excommunication of five dissident who had accused church leaders of prostituting the church to the demands of communist rulers. In 1997, he confessed that he had been recruited as an informer in 1948 when he was arrested by the communists. He said he had signed papers that had led to the 1981 excommunication of five dissident priests who had accused church leaders of prostituting the church to communist rulers’ demands.
He also had informed on priests visiting communist Romania.He also had informed on priests visiting communist Romania.
“Of course I made a mistake. . . . I gave in to pressure,” Bishop Corneanu said of his actions.“Of course I made a mistake. . . . I gave in to pressure,” Bishop Corneanu said of his actions.
His confession confirmed suspicions that Orthodox Church clergy had had close links with the Securitate and top state organizations under communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu.His confession confirmed suspicions that Orthodox Church clergy had had close links with the Securitate and top state organizations under communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu.
But he was also praised after his death by Emil Constantinescu, president at the time when Bishop Corneanu spoke out about his past. But he also was praised after his death by Emil Constantinescu, president at the time when Bishop Corneanu spoke out about his past.
“His repentance . . . freed him of the burden of duplicity, and had others followed his good example, we would have been better prepared for freedom and democracy,” Constantinescu said.“His repentance . . . freed him of the burden of duplicity, and had others followed his good example, we would have been better prepared for freedom and democracy,” Constantinescu said.
The confession and apology, published in a newspaper interview, was distinctly unorthodox in style and displeased some church leaders, but Bishop Corneanu gained popularity among ordinary people. Over the years, he also irked church leaders with his tolerance of Catholics and homosexuals.The confession and apology, published in a newspaper interview, was distinctly unorthodox in style and displeased some church leaders, but Bishop Corneanu gained popularity among ordinary people. Over the years, he also irked church leaders with his tolerance of Catholics and homosexuals.
His critics said that in exchange for collaborating, he was promoted within the church and allowed to travel abroad, a rare privilege.His critics said that in exchange for collaborating, he was promoted within the church and allowed to travel abroad, a rare privilege.
After Bishop Corneanu’s death, President Traian Basescu praised “his interfaith dialogue in a spirit of tolerance.” Bishop Corneanu helped the president prepare a 2006 report on the abuses committed during the communist era.After Bishop Corneanu’s death, President Traian Basescu praised “his interfaith dialogue in a spirit of tolerance.” Bishop Corneanu helped the president prepare a 2006 report on the abuses committed during the communist era.
— Associated Press— Associated Press