In Moldova, Orthodox Church hierarch condemned for criticizing LGBT persons

The hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Bishop Markell of Balti and Falesti, was sentenced by a court to pay compensation for causing moral damage to representatives of the LGBT community in Moldova. The bishop was sued for calling homosexuals «sodomites,» «lost» and «sinners» on the eve of the Solidarity March in 2022. This is reported by the website ESP.MD.

It is reported that on June 12, 2022, Bishop Markell published a video message to Christians on YouTube, which was later deleted. In this address, the bishop said that «sodomites want to hold a parade of shame in our city,» referring to Balti. In his address, Markell called on Balti residents to come to the city’s cathedral to «hold a procession and oppose, prevent this shameless invasion that they want to carry out through the center of our city.» He referred to members of the LGBT community as «sodomites,» «lost,» «sinners,» etc.

As a consequence, supporters of the LGBT movement sued the bishop, who ruled in their favor. Thus, Bishop Markell will have to pay 10,000 lei to each plaintiff.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations opposed the gay parade in Kiev, held on June 16, 2024. The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations drew attention to the fact that the «March of Equality 2024» is going to be held at a time when such an opportunity is limited for other socio-political organizations. In addition, describing the nature of the event, the WCCIRO states that it is aimed at discrediting and weakening the institution of the family.