Moldovan Church clergy subjected to interrogation and intimidation, politician

The bishop of the Cahul and Comrat Diocese has been summoned by the country's security services for a "preventive conversation".
Recently, more and more priests and hierarchs of the Moldovan Orthodox Church have been being subjected to interrogations and intimidation. This was reported on his Telegram channel by politician, MP of the Republic of Moldova, and one of the leaders of the "Revival" party, Vasile Bolea.
According to his information, Bishop Anatolie of the Cahul and Comrat Diocese was summoned to the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) for a "preventive conversation" regarding his presence at events organized in Gagauzia.
"I want to highlight that the Church is separated from the state. A bishop has the right to serve in his diocese, regardless of who organizes this or that event. Such humiliating 'conversations' become a means of pressure. It is unacceptable for the clergy to be treated with suspicion in a state that claims to respect religious freedom."
The politician emphasized that priests are being interrogated and intimidated by people who go to church and partake in communion: "This is true hypocrisy."
He calls on the authorities to leave the Church alone and not to turn faith into a political target.
As reported by teh UOJ, Moldovan authorities banned the procession on June 8, 2025, the Holy Trinity day, in one of the regions of the country. More than three thousand believers from the Cahul and Comrat Dioceses of the Moldovan Orthodox Church were planning to participate in the prayer procession for peace and prosperity of Gagauz land. Representatives of the Moldovan security forces approached the priests and prohibited them from conducting the procession until the gay parade is held in the country.