On 14 January 2026, the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) Center in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) hosted an inspiring edition of the Transylvania Lectures, titled “How Transylvania Pioneered Religious Freedom — The 1568 Edict of Torda and Its Legacy.” This event explored one of Europe’s early milestones in religious tolerance — the Edict of Torda, adopted in January 1568 during the Diet of Torda (Turda) in Transylvania.
The Edict of Torda is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of religious freedom because it recognized the right of local communities to freely choose and maintain their own preachers, reflecting a level of pluralism unprecedented in 16th-century Europe. At a time when religious divisions often led to conflict and persecution, the Edict stood out as a radical affirmation that “faith can only be true if it is free.”
URI Europe was honoured to be represented at this important discussion by Jaume de Marcos, Vice-President of URI Europe and member of the URI Global Council. Jaume joined fellow speakers in examining the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Edict, situating it within the context of religious conflicts in the Reformation era.
In his reflections, Jaume emphasized that the Edict was not just a legal text but a political commitment to allowing diverse religious communities to live together without coercion — a principle that resonates deeply with URI’s mission of interfaith cooperation and mutual respect. Speaking from both historical and values-based perspectives, he noted how exceptional this vision was in a period when religious difference was more commonly perceived as a threat than an opportunity for dialogue.
The lecture brought together scholars and faith leaders to explore how the legacy of the Edict continues to inform conversations about freedom of belief, interreligious respect, and coexistence today — qualities that lie at the heart of URI’s work across Europe and beyond.
As we reflect on events like this, URI Europe celebrates the ongoing importance of learning from history while affirming our shared commitment to a future where freedom of belief and interfaith harmony are visible realities in communities around the world.
Website of the MCC: https://mcc.ro/en/
Photos: © MCC (Mathias Corvinus Collegium), Transylvania Lectures
