Moldovan priests' Moscow pilgrimage raises financial concerns
Several priests suspected of collaborating with the Kremlin and Șor, who were scheduled to embark today on "pilgrimages" to Moscow, have arrived at Chișinău International Airport.
They declined to comment to the press.
The news is being updated...
Yesterday, the portal deschide.md reported that dozens of priests from the Metropolitanate of Moldova were set to undertake alleged pilgrimages to Moscow, where they were to be received by high-ranking representatives of the Russian Patriarchate. Upon their return, they were reportedly expected to receive financial promises and MIR bank cards issued by Promsvyazbank, which is under international sanctions.
The Metropolitanate of Moldova confirmed to Teleradio-Moldova that several priests are indeed undertaking pilgrimages to the Russian Federation but stated that it is unaware of any alleged political motivations for which the clergy might be financially compensated. “When asked, some priests who have returned from this pilgrimage denied that this information is correct,” said Bishop Ioan Moșneguțu of Soroca.
According to the investigation, 24 priests from Soroca and Florești are scheduled to fly today, August 20, to the Russian Federation on so-called pilgrimages. These pilgrimages are reportedly organised by several church figures, including Bishop Marchel.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
