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Moldavian
Orthodox church |
Religion in
Moldova is separate from the
state. The Constitution of
the
Republic of Moldova
provides for freedom of
religion, and the Government
generally respects this
right in practice; however,
the law includes
restrictions that, at times,
inhibit the activities of
some religious groups.
The
generally amicable
relationship among religions
in society contributes to
religious freedom; however,
disputes among various
branches of the
Christian Orthodox faith
continue, and there are some
reports of
Jehovah's Witnesses
experiencing harassment from
local town councils, as well
as Orthodox priests and
adherents.
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The predominant religion is
Christianity, 90% of the
population nominally being
Eastern Orthodox.
Administratively, there are two
autonomous churches belonging to
two
autocephalous churches (Russian
and Romanian) within the Eastern
Orthodox
communion. The autonomous
Metropolis of Chişinău and Moldova
(belonging to the
Russian Orthodox Church),
according to the State Service on
Religious Issues, has 1,194
parishes; the
Metropolis of Bessarabia
(belonging to the
Romanian Orthodox Church) has
124 parishes. In addition followers
of the Old Rite Russian Orthodox
Church (Old
Believers) make up approximately
3.6 percent of the population. The
religious traditions of the 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.
Adherents of other faiths include
Roman Catholics,
Baptists,
Pentecostals,
Seventh-day Adventists,
Muslims,
Jehovah's Witnesses,
Bah�'�s,
Jews,
Unification Church members,
Molocans (a Russian group),
Messianic Jews (who believe that
Jesus was the Messiah),
Lutherans,
Presbyterians,
Hare Krishnas, and some other
charismatic Christian and
evangelical Christian groups.
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has
2 congregations, and a combined
total of approximately 250 members.
According to the most recently
available numbers, the Jewish
community has approximately 31,300
members, including approximately
20,000 living in
Chişinău; 3,100 in
Bălţi and surrounding areas;
2,200 in
Tiraspol; 2,000 in
Bender; and 4,000 in small
towns.
Foreign
missionaries represent many faiths
and denominations.
Freedom of religion
The Constitution provides for
freedom of religion, and the
Government generally respects this
right in practice; however, 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 "in order 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.
Source
:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Moldova
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