Religion in Moldova
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Moldova's constitution provides for freedom of religion and complete separation of church and state, though the constitution cites the "exceptional importance" of
Of the non-Orthodox population of Moldova, the
The 1992 Law on Religions, which codifies religious freedoms, contains restrictions that inhibit the activities of unregistered religious groups. Although the law was amended in 2002, many of the restrictions remain in place. The law provides for freedom of religious practice, including each person's right to profess his or her religion in any form. It also protects the confidentiality of the confessional, allows denominations to establish associations and foundations, and states that the Government may not interfere in the religious activities of denominations. The law specifies that "to organize and function", religious organizations must be registered with the Government, and unregistered groups may not own property, engage employees, or obtain space in public cemeteries in their own names.
Christianity
Eastern Orthodox Church
The primary religion is
During the 2004 census, 93.34 per cent of the population declared themselves to be Eastern Orthodox.[5] 80–90 per cent of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the Moldovan Orthodox Church (formally known as Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova) which is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and has played a powerful role in deepening Russia's influence in Moldova.[1][3] The remaining 10–20 per cent of Orthodox Moldovans belong to the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which is subordinate to the Romanian Orthodox Church.[1]
The religious traditions of Eastern Orthodoxy are entwined with the culture and patrimony of the country. Many self-professed atheists routinely celebrate religious holidays, cross themselves, and even light candles and kiss icons if local tradition and the occasion demand.[citation needed]
Catholic Church
Moldova forms a single diocese, the
Other denominations
There are also a growing number of Seventh-day Adventists, Evangelical Christians, and Lutherans.[1] Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Pentecostals number between 15,000-30,000 each. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has two congregations in the country, and a combined total of approximately 455 members.[6]
Judaism
Judaism is a minority religion in Moldova, but Jews have lived in the region since the 1st century
Today, the Jewish community in Moldova has been revived and are primarily represented by the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova (JCM) organisation. The group was registered in its current form in 1997, but its roots stretch back to founding of the Union of Jewish Communities in Bessarabia on 3 November 1935. The group estimate that the total population of Moldovan Jews in 2022 to be around 20,000.
The World Jewish Congress (of which the JCM is an affiliate member) states that there has been "a widespread development of a national self-consciousness and a return to their roots by the Jews of Moldova, with Jewish identity and culture being celebrated in a number of forms". Diplomatic relations with Israel began in 1992 and the Israeli consulate is located in the capital city, Chişinău. Since 2014, Moldova has been an observer country to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and since 2019 has adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism for official use. The Museum of Jewish History was opened in Orhei on 30 January 2023.
Islam
The Islamic League of Moldova (Liga Islamică din Moldova) estimates that there are approximately 15,000–17,000 Muslims in Moldova.[1] The Islamic League was registered with Moldova's Ministry of Justice in March 2011 and therefore received official government recognition of its role as a representative of Moldova's Muslim community. It is the first legally recognised Muslim association in Moldova.[7] There is one mosque in Moldova, located in the capital city, Chişinău.
Although the Constitution of Moldova protects freedom of religion in theory, in practice Muslims in Moldova often face discrimination, especially from local government and the Orthodox Church. The municipal government of Chişinău has repeatedly refused requests by the Islamic League of Moldova "allot a plot of land for the Muslim community at the state-run cemetery", in violation of Moldovan law which "provides the right to burial space in public cemeteries for all registered religious groups. The mayoralty rejected both requests sent by the community in January and in March [2022]."[1] Prior to the groups registration in 2011, "Drop-ins by police on worship services were regularly reported, as well as alleged harassment."[8]
Following the 2011 recognition of the Islamic League of Moldova, the
Nevertheless, as of 2016, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that Muslims are "thriving" in Moldova.[10] Following the personal involvement of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Heiner Bielefeldt after these protests, as well as the personal actions of Minister of Justice, Alexandru Tonase, the situation was calmed down and the protests came to an end.[10] Veaceslav Balan, UN Human Rights Office Coordinator in Moldova said that Islamophobia is still, however, "a major challenge facing Muslims today in the country."[10]
Attitudes towards religion
According to a survey conducted in 2014, by the Institute of Public Policy in Moldova, 80 per cent of the respondents show a high degree of trust in the Church as an institution, but 85 per cent consider that the church should remain separate from the political sphere and 76 per cent consider that the church should not become involved with governmental issues.
Also, the survey showed that 58 per cent of the respondents go to church less than once per month and ten per cent do not go at all.[12]
Church and state
Although the Constitution declares the separation of church and state, the
In
In October 2015 the same Orthodox Church leveraged its authority in a failed attempt to influence the trial of former prime minister Vlad Filat, who was accused of passive corruption and traffic of influence.[14][15]
In December 2015 the Metropolis of Chișinău and All Moldova challenged the State Tax Service of the Republic of Moldova, refusing to provide revenue reports, although religious organizations lost their tax-exempt status in 2013.[16]
In 2016, on the eve of the first round of the
Freedom of religion
In 2022, the country was scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[18]
See also
- Baháʼí Faith in Moldova
- Catholic Church in Moldova
- Eastern Orthodoxy in Moldova
- Freedom of religion in Moldova
- History of the Jews in Moldova
- Islam in Moldova
- Protestantism in Moldova
- Religion by country
- Religion in Transnistria
- Slavic Neopaganism
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Moldova
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Moldova". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ "Population and Housing Census in the Republic of Moldova, May 12-25, 2014". National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ a b Luchenko, Ksenia (2023-01-31). "Why the Russian Orthodox Church Supports the War in Ukraine". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ "Moldovan Muslim Leader 'Disappointed' By Anti-Islamic Remarks". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
- ^ 2004 census
- ^ "LDS Statistics and Church Facts - Total Church Membership". Mormon Newsroom. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "Moldovan Muslim Leader 'Disappointed' By Anti-Islamic Remarks". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2011-04-28. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ Puiu, Victoria (2015-06-23). "ISIS-Related Arrests Pose Challenge for Moldova's Muslims". Eurasianet. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Moldovans Rally To Protest Formal Recognition Of Islam". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ a b c "Muslim community thriving in Moldova". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Religious Belief and National Belonging in Central and Eastern Europe". Pew Research Center. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-09-09.
- ^ "Traditional religion and political power: Examining the role of the church in Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine and Moldova" (PDF). fpc.org.uk. Foreign Policy Centre. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ D. Carnevale - A Context-Grounded Approach to Religious Freedom: The Case of Orthodoxy in the Moldovan Republic, https://www.mdpi.com/458996
- ^ "A new trial in case Filat: Former premier has appeared in front of court". Jurnal.MD - Ca să ştii total!.
- ^ "Apelul ÎPS Mitropolit Vladimir adresat tuturor instituțiilor status implicate în cercetarea lazuli Domnului Vlad Filat". Mitropolia Chişinăului şi a Întregii Moldove. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015.
- ^ "Mitropolia Moldovei Este nemulțumită de impozitare". Deschide.md.
- ^ Știrile, Publika.MD - AICI Sunt (4 November 2016). "Moldovan clerics get involved in electioneering, make scandalous assertions". publika.md. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- The article is based on a 2004 USDoS webpage. Breadcrumb trail: USDoS Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor > Releases > International Religious Freedom > 2004 > Europe and Eurasia > Moldova
External links
Media related to Religion in Moldova at Wikimedia Commons