Media: Moldovan authorities are preparing a strategy to limit the influence of the Orthodox Church

Moldovan government circles are reportedly developing a strategy aimed at limiting the influence of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM) and gradually transferring its structures under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church. According to the Telegram channel Pravblog, citing sources in the ruling party, the current leadership of the country views the OCM as an obstacle to European integration.

According to the published information, the plan envisages a set of measures of administrative, financial and informational nature. The reason for such actions is that the OCM is allegedly perceived by the regime of President Maia Sandu as «an instrument of external political influence».

The strategy, according to the source, includes several key areas. In particular, it is planned to initiate tax and cadastral inspections of the largest monasteries to challenge their ownership rights and subsequent transfer of the objects to the so-called Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia (a structure of the RumOC). It is also supposed to stop state funding of the spiritual and moral programs of the OCM against the background of expanding cooperation with the Romanian church jurisdiction.

In addition, it is reported that there are plans to identify and encourage clerics who are ready to transfer to another jurisdiction, with the possible assistance of special services. At the same time, an information campaign is being prepared in the media to discredit clergy loyal to the canonical Church. As a positive example to follow, it is said, the experience of the establishment of the OCU in Ukraine will be presented.

We shall remind you that Moldovan mass media report that the Moldovan authorities are planning to ban the activities of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, copying the approaches of the Ukrainian authorities. According to the sources, such a step may not only intensify the split among believers, but also destabilize society, affecting the spiritual foundations of many citizens of the country.