Romania Strengthens Support for Its Church Structure in Moldova

On June 12, a parliamentary delegation from Bucharest paid an official visit to the so-called Bessarabian Metropolis — a structure under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church operating on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The meeting took place at the residence of Metropolitan Petru (Păduraru) and was reportedly held “as part of institutional dialogue to support the activities of the Romanian Church in Moldova and to strengthen bilateral cooperation.” This was reported by the Telegram channel “Orthodox Moldova and the World.”

Among the topics discussed, particular attention was given to the legal and administrative status of the Bessarabian Metropolis, the issue of “restitution of church property,” and further opportunities for “support from the Romanian state.”

Special emphasis was placed on “the impact of the metropolis’s activity on the spiritual, educational, and social life of Romanians in the Republic of Moldova,” which, according to observers, may indicate Bucharest’s intention to expand its influence in the region through church structures.

The head of the Romanian metropolis expressed gratitude to the Romanian parliamentary delegation, noting that the structure he leads is “the only Romanian institution continuously active between the Prut and the Dniester since the interwar period,” with a mission to “preserve Romanian identity and Orthodox faith.”

It is also worth noting that The hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti, expressed concern about a possible break in relations between the Moscow and Romanian Patriarchates due to the non-canonical activities of the Bessarabian Metropolis of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Moldova. The bishop noted that the prerequisites for such a development are in place, since some bishops of the Romanian Church openly accept those clerics of the OCM who are under canonical restrictions.