The head of the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia blessed the new government of the Republic of Moldova

The head of the Metropolitan Metropolitan of Bessarabia, Metropolitan Peter (Paduraru) of Bessarabia sent an official message to the new government of the Republic of Moldova, in which he expressed his support, blessing and hope for wise and dedicated governance of the country. In his address, the hierarch emphasized the Church’s readiness to cooperate with the authorities in order to achieve unity, stability and prosperity of the nation.

In his letter, according to Orthodox Times, Metropolitan Peter congratulated the new cabinet and wished it «divine help, wisdom, courage and sound judgment in the difficult but noble mission of leading the country to unity, stability and prosperity.» He emphasized that «the ministry of governing the nation, according to the Gospel, is a vocation of sacrifice and dedication,» expressing the hope that the term of the new government will be a time of cooperation and solidarity.

The hierarch reiterated the full willingness to cooperate on the part of the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia, which is an integral part of the Romanian Orthodox Church. «We have been and will remain a faithful partner of the state — a constant promoter of democratic values, freedom, Romanian identity and the European path of our country,» the Metropolitan said. He noted with satisfaction that the new government’s program is based on the principles of common good, care for citizens and fair justice, which coincides with the values promoted by the Church.

In his address, Metropolitan Peter also outlined a number of key priorities for future cooperation. Among them: fully respecting the rights of the religious communities of the Metropolis of Bessarabia, ensuring a fair and objective justice system, establishing a true partnership with the Ministry of Culture to protect and restore the national heritage, and continuing to fulfill obligations to restitute the Metropolis’ property — which has been called «an act of historical, spiritual and moral justice.»

«A just, European and democratic society is built not only through economic or political reforms, but also through the strengthening of spiritual, moral and cultural ties between people,» the hierarch emphasized. Concluding his message, Metropolitan Peter prayed that the Almighty God grant the new government «health, strength and grace for the worthy fulfillment of the mission entrusted to them», guiding Moldova on the way to peace, prosperity and national and European unity.

Earlier we reported that Archbishop Markell of Balti and Falesti expressed concern about the consequences of the Bessarabian schism, which, in his opinion, represents not a church but a political project of Romania. «Behind the Bessarabian schism is not the Romanian Church, but the Romanian state, which wants to annex to itself the territory of Moldova,» the bishop emphasized. He noted that the liturgical communion between the priests of the two Patriarchates is preserved, but the state’s interference in church affairs threatens the integrity of relations.