Analysts Igor Caldare and Mihail Lupasco called on the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova to examine the problem of informal taxes in churches. They said that during half a year, representatives of the Moldovan Metropolitan Church have forced the priests to pay two informal taxes, which will be doubled from December 20.

In a news conference at IPN, Igor Caldare said the taxes are collected quarterly by the secretary of the Metropolitan Church Vadim Cheibas and metropolitan adviser Veaceslav Spac. The sums are calculated depending on the number of people in settlements, multiplied by 0.3. For example, in a village with 3,000 residents, the priest must pay 900 lei every three months to the Metropolitan Church. Furthermore, the priests are obliged to purchase goods from the Church to the value of the tax paid quarterly multiplied by 4. At the market, a set of candles costs 50 lei, while the Metropolitan Church sells it for 100 lei.

Igor Caldare also said that when there are large feasts, the priests have to offer money in envelopes to the Metropolitan Church. The money collected as informal taxes and presents is used to maintain the buildings of the Metropolitan Church and to pay salaries to 10 functionaries of the Church.

If the taxes are doubled, the priests may migrate to the Bessarabian Metropolitan Church, which levies no tax, said Igor Caldare. ”These taxes represent blackmail on the part of the administration of the Metropolitan Church, which simultaneously creates tensions between the faithful and the priest as the prices of services go up. The Church is the only institution in which the population has confidence and this taxation mechanism destroys faith,” said the activist.

Mihail Lupaaco said the priests do not complain in public about these realities as they risk being replaced. If the Synod of the Orthodox Church does not intervene with determination, the Christian values will be in danger.