Former deacon Gennady Valuța, who was excommunicated by the Metropolitan Bishop of Moldova, asked Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir to present copies of the proofs related to the accsuations made against him so that he can file an appeal. Also, the ten-member Church Council of Anenii Noi asked for a new church hearing from the Orthodox Church of Moldova in which Gennady Valuța can present evidence of his innocence. “I think the Metropolitan Bishop will accept these two requests as these are the wishes of the whole church (of Anenii Noi, e.n.), Gennady Valuța stated in a news conference at IPN.

Gennady Valuța said that owing to family problems experienced the past two years, he didn’t appear before the press, but in the court hearing he could not defend himself and this made him launch a public call to Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir.

“I didn’t appear because, owing to the scandals involving me, as I became a public figure owing to my activities the previous years, I suffered a lot. In 2009, I lost my father. I also lost a relative and my dear neighbor and decided to focus on my private life and to disappear from the public sphere”.

The deacon explained that on November 10 Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir agreed to have a meeting with the members of the Church Council of Anenii Noi to discuss church-related issues as the church hasn’t had a leader for two years. The services are held by a priest named on a temporary basis. In the meeting, Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir approved of the way in which Gennady Valuța fulfilled his duties and said that he could be promoted after the Nativity on condition that the church’s cashier is replaced as they received complaints about this person. The delegation from Anenii Noi agreed. He was later invited to the metropolitan court where he was unable to present his arguments. A parochial assembly was to be staged in Anenii Noi to examine the accusations and counterarguments. But a decree on the exclusion of Gennady Valuța was published on the website of the Metropolitan Church soon. He considers this was done because they wanted the financial matters to be further managed by particular persons.

Gennady Valuța noted that Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir ordained him and christened his four children.

By a decree issued by Metropolitan Bishop Vladimir on December 3, deacon Gennady Valuța was stopped from holding services and was excluded from the clergy of the Orthodox Church of Moldova for abuse against members of his family.