Political influence in Moldova: Moscow Patriarchate clerics promoted
The Metropolis of Moldova (led by Metropolitan Vladimir and subject to the Moscow Patriarchate) has voiced concern over "unfriendly and denigrating statements" targeting the Orthodox Church of Moldova (COM).
The COM insists: "Our church is not a Russian one," but rather the spiritual home of "the entire people living in the Republic of Moldova." Conversely, the Metropolis of Bessarabia (part of the Romanian Orthodox Church) alleges that priests who actively campaigned in the Republic of Moldova for the Russian Federation's interests have been promoted, calling this a clear demonstration of "moral falsehood" and highlighting the ongoing Moldova Church Split.
In an address to the clergy and people, issued on November 11, the Synod of the COM declared its governance as "free and independent," citing the 1994 Tomos of Independence granted by the Moscow Patriarchate, which supposedly "recognized its full autonomy in organization and pastoral care." The COM asserted it conducts its "canonical, pastoral, and social activities in full compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Moldova and in the spirit of the Gospel."
The COM also stressed that it "has never positioned itself against the development vector chosen by our state," emphasizing that the Church’s mission is "strictly spiritual, centered on the pastoral care of the faithful, supporting those in need, and preaching the Gospel." The Synod called for unity among "all ministers and faithful" and urged political leaders and opinion shapers "to mutual respect and discernment."
The address included a warning, referencing the situation in Ukraine, where the government banned religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Patriarchate: "Similar experiences in the neighboring country... resulted in failures and deep social unrest. It is not the case for the Republic of Moldova to repeat the mistakes of others, but it is time to maintain our balance and wisdom, for the common good of our people."
Metropolis of Bessarabia: Pro-Moscow Clerics Rewarded After Political Interference
The Metropolis of Bessarabia subsequently issued a statement expressing its "concern and regret" regarding the "confused, contradictory, and lacking in ecclesiastical foundation tone" of the communiqué from the "so-called Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova," the structure "under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate."
The Metropolis of Bessarabia argued that the COM's claim to the name "Orthodox Church of Moldova" is "improper and historically and canonically untrue." They stated: "It misleads public opinion by claiming representativeness over the entire Orthodox ecclesiastical organization on the territory of historical Moldova. In reality, this name designates only a local church structure of the Moscow Patriarchate, without jurisdiction over the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova and, even less so, over all of historical Moldova."
In a stark rebuttal, the Metropolis of Bessarabia noted that despite publicly condemning the direct and aggressive involvement of some Moscow Patriarchate hierarchs and clerics in Moldova's political processes, the Metropolis led by Metropolitan Vladimir has offered no concrete disciplinary measures.
"This formal condemnation is not followed by any concrete canonical or disciplinary measure against those who compromised the dignity of the priesthood through political partisanship, propaganda, and manipulation. On the contrary, some of the hierarchs and priests actively involved in electoral campaigns have subsequently been promoted to various commissions and synodal structures. This is not a sign of repentance, but a new manifestation of duplicity and moral falsehood," the statement detailed.
Furthermore, the Metropolis of Bessarabia rejected the defrockings pronounced against priests serving within the Romanian Patriarchate, dismissing them as "lacking canonical and legal foundation." The communiqué concluded that the "pro-Moscow structure in Chișinău" is merely "manifesting its frustration with the natural dynamic of more and more communities and priests returning to the bosom of the Mother Church – the Romanian Orthodox Church. This return is an act of conscience, freedom, and historical truth, not a political and corrupt gesture, as some try to present it."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
