Romania: Whether females Pentecostals are required to wear distinctive head coverings; age of baptism for women; treatment of female Pentecostals in Romania
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 October 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ROM41935.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Romania: Whether females Pentecostals are required to wear distinctive head coverings; age of baptism for women; treatment of female Pentecostals in Romania, 17 October 2003, ROM41935.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd216c.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several denominations of Pentecostals report activity in Romania including the Assemblies of God (45 churches and outstations, 4,000 members) (Eye on Europe n.d.), the Foursquare Missions International (FMI, 2 churches) (FMI n.d.), the Apostolic Church of God (claiming 220,051 Romanian members) and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) (US 7 Feb. 2001).
The Research Directorate did not find reference to a Pentecostal doctrinal requirement directing female members to wear veils among the sources consulted. However, one report published in an Assemblies of God newsletter referred anecdotally to a Romanian Pentecostal custom that requires all women to wear head coverings while in church (Enrichment Journal Winter 2000). By way of comparison, the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), which does not list Romanian missions, interprets the Bible as requiring women to dress so not to "unduly expose [their bodies] to the stares of the public ... [while not being] so old-fashioned as to look like a monstrosity" (2002). The Assemblies of God notes that modesty "is not a single set of rules for every culture and time [but] a pattern of behavior that does not call attention to itself through [the] inappropriate display of one's body" (AG 2003a).
The Research Directorate was unable to find references to a specific age for baptism of Pentecostal women among the sources consulted, including the Websites of the Assemblies of God, the IHPC, the FMI, the UPCI and the Church of God denominations. Baptism, in Assembly of God doctrine, includes water immersion and "baptism in the Holy Ghost," a phenomenon evidenced by the speaking in tongues (AG 2003b, Sec. 6-7). The denomination believes that baptism is available for all individuals (AG 2003c) after conversion (so as to have "proper understanding" of their faith) and "it is not improper for new believers to move quickly" from conversion to baptism (ibid. 2003d). The IPHC argues that baptism by water immersion is reserved for "persons old enough to have made a conscious decision of faith" (31 July 2003). According to IPHC practice, the age at which a person is baptized depends on the individual, parents (in the case of a child) and the pastor (31 July 2003).
Information pertaining to the treatment of Pentecostal followers in Romania was the subject of ROM40497.E of 21 February 2003. More recent information pertaining to their treatment in general or of female adherents in particular was not found by the Research Directorate among the sources consulted.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Assemblies of God. 2003a. "Assemblies of God Beliefs: Modesty in Physical Appearance."
_____. 2003b. "Assemblies of God Beliefs: Statement of Fundamental Truths."
_____. 2003c. "Assemblies of God Beliefs: Is It Possible to Be Saved and Baptized in the Holy Spirit at the Same Time?"
_____. 2003d. "Assemblies of God Beliefs: Who Should Be Baptized in the Holy Spirit?"
Enrichment Journal [Springfield, Mo]. Winter 2000. Leith Anderson. "What Will the 21st-Century Church Be Like?"
Eye on Europe, Assemblies of God World Missions Europe. n.d. "Romania."
Foursquare Missions International (FMI). n.d. "Global Resources Guide: Romania."
International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). 31 July 2003. A. D. Beacham, Jr. "Water Baptism in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church."
United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI). 2002. "The Scriptures Decree Modesty in Dress."
United States. 7 February 2001. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. "Romania: Information on Pentecostals and Other Religious Minorities." (ROM01001.ZSF)
Additional Sources Consulted
Dialog
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada was unable to respond to inquiries within the time constraints of this Response.
Pentecostal Denomination Internet sites, including:
Apostolic Pentecostal Churches Network
Church of God of Prophecy
Church of God, World Missions
International Church of Acts
Pentecostal World Conference
Pentecostal World Fellowship
Other Internet sites, including:
Adherents.com
Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies
Church Engine (Christian search program)
Compass Direct
Cyberjournal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research
East-West Church & Ministry Report (1996-2003)
Evangelism for Eastern Europe
Faith News Network
International Christian Concern
Pentecostal Movements Worldwide
Pentecostal Research and Information Center
Pentecostal.com
Religious Freedom in the World
Religious Movements, Group Profiles
World News Connection
