Moldova Faces Possible Loss of EU Candidate Status over Pressure on Canonical Church

Belgian MEP Barbara Bonte has submitted a request to the European Commission to reconsider Moldova’s EU candidate status. The reason is the systematic violation of the rights of the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Moldova. This was reported by Insider Moldova.

The request is based on a report by the Lithuanian human rights organization Žmogaus teisių apsauga, presented at a session of the UN Human Rights Council. The report details pressure on the Church by Moldovan authorities, including attempts to ban its activities, the detention of Archbishop Markel, the seizure of churches by supporters of the so-called “Bessarabian Metropolis,” and fines imposed on believers.

For the first time, Chișinău’s religious policy has raised official concern within European institutions. Continued pressure on the Church could cost Moldova both EU financial support and the prospect of membership.

It has also been reported that within Moldovan church circles, there is talk of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople increasing its presence in the country and potentially establishing its own ecclesiastical structures. It is believed that Fanar already has a representative coordinating such activities.