The Archbishop of the OCM appealed to the Vice-President of the USA with a request for protection from persecution

Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti, hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, has publicly asked U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to intervene in the situation of increasing persecution by the Moldovan authorities. According to the archbishop, the ruling party is threatening to outlaw the Church after the upcoming parliamentary elections. This is reported by OrthoChristian.

During an interview with American and British journalists, Archbishop Markell directly appealed to the US Vice President, known for his support of traditional values. «Dear Mr. Vice President Vance, we stand for the same values, and that is why the Orthodox Church is being restricted and persecuted. We are promised that our ruling regime, PAS, will win the elections on September 28 and they will outlaw us. …. I ask you, Honorable Vice President, to intervene. Help us defend our traditional Church,» the hierarch stated.

Archbishop Markell has faced a number of restrictions in recent months. He was detained three times at Chisinau airport, including twice during Holy Week, preventing him from delivering the Holy Fire from Jerusalem and later blocking a pilgrimage trip to Turkey. The hierarch compared the actions of the current authorities to Stalinist repression and warned of possible provocations such as the planting of weapons or drugs. In addition, in June, the authorities banned the Church from holding a Pentecost procession while supporting LGBT Pride Week.

Pressure on the Church has intensified amid accusations by President Maia Sandu of spreading «pro-Russian narratives» and interfering in elections, although no concrete evidence has been presented. The situation has attracted attention internationally. Belgian MEP Barbara Bonte sent an inquiry to the European Commission on whether the treatment of religious minorities in Moldova is in line with European values. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also announced its intention to investigate the travel restrictions.

As a reminder, the Orthodox Church of Moldova recently reacted to statements made by President Maia Sandu at a press conference following a meeting of the Supreme Security Council. Sandu called the Church an instrument of Russian interference in the electoral process and accused the clergy of destabilizing the country. The OCM regarded these words as an attempt to prepare public opinion for future pressure on the canonical Church and possible repressive measures.