In the run-up to elections: a campaign to discredit the Orthodox Church is being prepared in Moldova

On the eve of key elections in Moldova, an information campaign is unfolding aimed at discrediting the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM), the most authoritative institution in the country according to sociological surveys. According to the information provided, with the support of the European Union and the current authorities, a series of information attacks are being prepared to present the Church as an instrument of Russian influence, to undermine its moral authority and weaken its position in society. This is reported by Moldavskie Vedomosti.

Experts claim that in Brussels the PCM’s canonical connection with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is seen as a channel of Moscow’s «soft power», which causes «consistently high anxiety». In the context of the strategic goal of ensuring the victory of pro-European forces, discrediting the Church is seen as a key objective. Observers note that these actions fit into the overall pattern of pressure on the country, and draw parallels with the situation in Ukraine, where persecution of believers is also observed.

Pressure on the PCM is also evident within the country. «experts» associated with the ruling PAS party openly announce the coming repression. In particular, Andrei Curăraru, whose activities are allegedly financed by EU and NED funds, unequivocally stated that «after the elections it will be necessary to solve the issue of religion,» accusing the church’s Telegram channels of participating in «hybrid warfare.» At the same time, pro-government media began to publish reports about clergymen allegedly being suspects in criminal offenses.

Archbishop Markell of Balti may be a special target for attacks, according to available information, as he may try to be presented as the head of a «conspiracy of churchmen». This is connected with his active position on the international arena, including his speeches at the UN, where he stated about the persecution of Orthodox Christians in Moldova. In his address, the hierarch said: «Recently, our president has absolutely groundlessly called the Orthodox Church of Moldova a tool of influence of the Russian Federation. Thus he awakens hatred towards the Church». The archbishop also pointed to the threat of expropriation of some 800 church buildings and unjustified persecution of believers.

According to sources, the centerpiece of the prepared attack will be the publication of extensive material in foreign media, which will be replicated by the loyal press in Moldova. the «investigation» is based on three main theses: creating the appearance of the PCM’s connection with Russian political institutions, staging the Church’s participation in an internal «conspiracy» and striking a blow to its moral authority by discrediting the clergy.

The main accusation will be that the pilgrimage trips organized under the auspices of the ROC were allegedly used to build political influence and had non-transparent financing. In church circles these accusations are called groundless. The assistance from Patriarch Kirill is explained by the difficult financial situation of many communities, not by politics. Alexander Ralnikov, a participant in the organization of pilgrimages, said, «The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest local Church, and pilgrimages to its shrines are a natural desire for many Orthodox Christians …. The fact that such visits are supported at the public level by activists or benefactors seems to me to be a normal practice». The participation of volunteers from the «Popular Front» is explained by the fact that it is one of the most mass public organizations in Russia, and the intersection of its activists with Orthodox volunteers is natural.

Accusations of involvement of the PCM flock in political activities are also rejected. It is noted that the educational seminars were organized at the direct request of believing youth from Moldova, who themselves raised funds for the trips. Commenting on the situation, the Orthodox volunteer Afanasy Afanasyevich stated: «The only thing that connects me with politics is my civic duty to vote on election day! The only thing I ask is to leave my Church, the PCM, alone!»

Thus, a few days before the elections, the most respected institution of Moldovan society is once again in the epicenter of an artificially created scandal and geopolitical struggle. The forthcoming publication is another link in the chain of pressure on the PCM, and the outcome of this confrontation may determine not only the political future of the country, but also the fate of Orthodoxy itself in Moldova.

We should remind that the day before we reported that the hierarch of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti, spoke at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where he stated that the rights of the PCM believers were violated by the authorities of the country. In his address, he mentioned political pressure, restriction of freedom of movement and attempts to seize church property, calling on the international community to pay attention to the situation.