Moldovan authorities ‘intimidating’ largest Christian church – opposition
Moldova’s opposition parties have accused the pro-EU government of waging a pressure campaign against the country’s largest Christian church. The outrage follows an incident in which border police blocked Marchel, the Bishop of Balti and Falesti, from traveling to Easter celebrations in Jerusalem. “The authorities are increasing their pressure on the Moldovan Metropolis,” the Pobeda – Victorie Bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, said in a statement on Telegram on Saturday. “What are Orthodox worshippers witnessing during Holy Week? Instead of respect for their faith – a show of force. Instead of calm and prayer – barricades, police, and intimidation.” Marchel had intended to participate in the Holy Fire ritual at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is traditionally held around midday on Holy Saturday. According to the cleric, police first stopped and searched him at Chisinau Airport on Thursday, returning his passport only after his flight had departed. He said he was “unjustifiably” prevented from boarding another plane on Friday. The border police insisted that the bishop had been subjected to routine processing and missed his flight on Thursday because he’d arrived late. Officials have not yet commented on what happened on Friday. Marchel has accused the authorities of lying. “We are demanding a clear answer: Who gave the order, and why has the Church once again come under pressure? We will not allow the destruction of what has, for centuries, united people and preserved peace in our society,” the Pobeda – Victorie Bloc said. In a separate statement, the bloc accused the authorities of attempting to “discredit” the church. The Party of Socialists (PSRM) described the incident as “a deliberate act of spiritual terror” and demanded an explanation from the authorities. “Any pressure on the Church is a crime against the people and an attack on the very foundations of Moldovan statehood,” the PSRM said. The former Soviet republic has two distinct Orthodox churches: the Moldovan Orthodox Church (Metropolis of Chisinau), a self-governing entity under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the smaller Metropolis of Bessarabia, affiliated with the Romanian Orthodox Church. Last year, the Moldovan Orthodox Church reported a rise in the number of cases where government and law enforcement officials intimidated its clergy.
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