"Metropolitanate of Bessarabia" reasserts its exclusive rights in Moldova

The head of the so-called Metropolitan Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, Metropolitan Petru (Paduraru), has reiterated his structure’s claim to an exclusive role in the Orthodox life of Moldova. He justifies these claims by the canonical continuity and historical connection with the Romanian Orthodox Church, positioning his metropolis as the only true reference point of the Romanian ecclesiastical tradition in the region. This statement was made in an extensive address timed to coincide with the 33rd anniversary of the «revival» of the organization’s activities.

Metropolitan Peter (Peduraru)’s address, released on December 19, outlines the fundamental principles on which the position of the Metropolis of Bessarabia is based. First of all, the restoration of the Metropolis is presented not as an ordinary administrative decision, but as «a holy cause destined for the reunion of the Orthodox faithful of Moldova with their mother Church — the Romanian Orthodox Church».

Second, Metropolitan Peter emphasized the «unity of faith, language and tradition,» defining it as «the unshakable foundation of ecclesiastical identity in the lands of Bessarabia.» This statement emphasizes the cultural and linguistic aspect, which the Metropolis of Bessarabia considers fundamental to its mission in the region.

Thirdly, the head of the structure drew attention to «the historical role of the participants of the diocesan assembly in Chisinau in the early 1990s», whose appeal to the Holy Synod of the Romanian Church, according to him, «laid the foundation for the formation of the BM within Moldova». At the same time, any opposition to the process of de facto Romanianization of church life on the part of Orthodox clerics and laity of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM) was uncompromisingly described as «misunderstanding» and «ill-will.»

Paduraru expressed his conviction that the Metropolis of Bessarabia has already «generously shown the abundant fruits of its ministry, uniting under its authority the clergy, intellectual elite and representatives of civil society.» He also made it clear that his structure «will continue to act unwaveringly as the sole beacon of Romanian ecclesiastical and canonical continuity» in the Moldovan region. The source characterizes the Metropolitanate of Bessarabia as a «schismatic structure», pointing to the controversial nature of its claims in the context of the Orthodox world.

Recall, earlier we reported that in Moldova the conflict over church heritage between the Orthodox Church of Moldova and the so-called «Metropolitanate of Bessarabia», which is under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Church, is escalating. Archbishop Markell of Balti commented on the recent decision of the Court of Appeal, which, in his opinion, could become a dangerous precedent for the seizure of hundreds of churches, and accused the Romanian side of violating church canons.