Abbot Anzelm Rudolf Fejes, an ethnic Hungarian Roman Catholic Provost-Prelate of the Premonstratensian Order, was forcibly removed from a monastery in Oradea (Nagyvárad) on the morning of May 27, 2026. Representatives of the Oradea municipality entered the property by breaking through a wall to reach him. According to video recordings posted on the monastery’s social media pages and reports from local media, municipal workers arrived shortly before dawn to carry out an eviction order and told the abbot to vacate the premises.

Municipal workers entered the property at around 4:30 a.m.  forcing their way through the school wall and taking control of the church courtyard, sacristy, and several adjoining spaces—actions they argue violate religious freedom, church autonomy, and property rights.

Ongoing Legal Battle

Abbot Anzelm has contested court rulings and defied eviction notices requiring him to vacate the monastery complex. The last eviction order followed a January 29, 2026 ruling by the Oradea Municipal Court which found in favor of the city in the dispute over ownership of the complex. * Ultimately, on April 14 of this year, Father Anzelm signed an eviction enforcement agreement granting him 30 days to vacate voluntarily.

The city has maintained that they plan to renovate the monastery complex together with the adjoining Mihai Eminescu National College—formerly the Premonstratensian High School—after having secured EU funds for the project. The municipality has reportedly stated verbally that the abbot may be permitted to return following the completion of renovations. The buildings, which were not confiscated by the state under the communist period, do not therefore fall under religious property restitution laws.

Local Resistance

On the day of the May 14 deadline, supporters gathered at the monastery to protest the planned takeover, although the city did not proceed with enforcement at the time. Father Anzelm later stated that he had signed the agreement under pressure and subsequently filed a new injunction against the city.

On May 27, the abbot again alerted local supporters to the forced entry and also contacted emergency services. Authorities who responded determined that the workers possessed a valid construction permit and allowed the work to proceed despite the pending legal challenge.

Restricted Access to the Church

When the workers took over the space, they blocked the shared entrance separating the area from those Father Anselm and the religious order had been using.

In a video posted online following the incident, Father Anzelm stated that the church—part of the complex and still in active use for Mass— has been reduced to the nave and a few adjoining rooms, including the St. Joseph Chapel, which now serves as the church office. He added that the remaining areas no longer have access to basic utilities, including running water and restroom facilities, and warned that electricity access may soon be cut off.

HHRF’s Recommendation: Need for Compromise

Although the city of Oradea appears to have legal standing to take possession of the monastery complex, the site continues to function as a place of worship serving the local community. Earlier reports from parishioners describe actions by authorities that they believe violated the sanctity of the church, contributing to rising tensions and public outcry. The situation underscores the need for de-escalation and a negotiated solution that respects both legal rulings and the community’s religious needs.

*A previous court ruling had established the property as the municipality’s and resulted in a May 2025 eviction notice.

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