Moldovan parliament speaker explains why he met Metropolitans of Bessarabia, Moldova: “There must be good cooperation between the two Metropolitan Sees”

The Metropolitan See of Bessarabia and the Metropolitan See of Moldova must identify solutions through dialogue and develop cooperation based on mutual respect, including on property-related issues. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has made statements to this effect. The official said that he had discussed with representatives of the two metropolitan sees the need to overcome differences and find peaceful solutions.

The speaker noted he had noticed the closeness between the two metropolitans at the event held on August 26 on the marking of Moldova’s Independence, which was attended by members of the First Parliament and lawmakers from the current legislature. The two hierarchs sat next to each other, talked and took photographs together, which prompted the parliament speaker to initiate a discussion with the representative of the Metropolitan See of Moldova as well.

“There must be a nice cooperation between these two metropolitan sees,” Igor Grosu emphasized.

The parliament speaker said that the authorities were willing to facilitate the dialogue and respond to the requests of the two religious structures, including with regard to property-related issues.

In his opinion, forceful interventions are not a solution to disputes between religious communities, but risk deepening tensions.

“Expecting the police to come in, remove someone and put someone else there does not solve the problems. This will antagonize the religious communities even further,” Igor Grosu said.

The official advocated identifying formulas for coexistence and cooperation, including by organizing worship services alternately in places of worship over which there are disputes.

“It is the same faith, the same saints, the same ‘Our Father’ and the same Creed,” the parliament speaker said. He noted that the common elements of faith should provide a basis for dialogue and understanding.

Igor Grosu expressed hope that the disputed issues could be resolved peacefully, through cooperation between the two metropolitan sees and with the support of the authorities.

The meeting with Metropolitan Antonie of Bessarabia took place on October 21, while the meeting with Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and All Moldova took place on October 26. The discussions focused, among other things, on dialogue between religious communities, the preservation of cultural heritage and cooperation between the Church and state institutions. The meeting with Metropolitan Antonie also addressed the request to assign a property to the Metropolitan See of Bessarabia as restitution, while the meeting with Metropolitan Vladimir focused on spiritual values, solidarity and the unity of society.