Some 80% of the Moldovans think the Church should not become involved in the political affairs of the state, shows the opinion poll “Church and the State in the Republic of Moldova” that was commissioned by Soros Foundation Moldova to the Center for Sociological Surveys and Marketing CBS-AXA, IPN reports.

According to the survey that was presented on June 5, the religious leaders in Moldova are not very popular in society. Only 34% of those surveyed said they trust Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir, while 41% said they do not trust much His Holiness.  

Approximately 77% of the respondents said the priests must not advise the people who to vote for, while 64% said the priests should not run in elections.

About 44% of those polled said the state should finance no religious denominations, while 38% consider the state should finance only the majority denomination.

The study authors note that the electoral year 2016 showed the religious leaders intervened directly in the campaign prior to the presidential elections in Moldova.

Victor Munteanu, director of the Justice and Human Rights Department of Soros Foundation Moldova, said the study is not designed to prevent the cooperation between denominations, cults, the Church and the state and is not a report aimed against the Church. “The study analyzes how the relations between the Church and the state are built and provided truthful information to the state, churches and the population of the Republic of Moldova so that the public policies in the field develop in accordance with the law, democratic values and open society,” stated Victor Munteanu.

The survey covered a sample of 2,090 persons from 183 settlements and was carried out between August 8 and September 21, 2016. Of those polled, 93% said they are Orthodox Christians, with 85.7% of these being supporters of the Moldovan Metropolitan Church.