Cristian Terheș, Member of the European Parliament and representative of the European Christian Political Party (ECPP), has submitted amendments to the European Parliament’s report on 2023 and 2024 Commission assessments of Moldova. The amendments call for official recognition of the persecution faced by the Orthodox Church in Bessarabia during the Soviet occupation.
During the plenary session, Terheș emphasized that Moldova’s path toward EU integration must also reflect a clear understanding of its historical suffering:
“The Soviet occupation of Bessarabia following the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact brought immense suffering to the Romanian population: deportations, killings, and religious persecution. The Orthodox Metropolis of Bessarabia, under the Romanian Patriarchate, was a direct target.”
At the time of annexation in 1940, the Metropolis oversaw more than 1,000 churches and 30 monasteries—many of which were closed or destroyed by the Soviets. Over 50 Romanian Orthodox priests were reportedly killed for refusing to submit to the Moscow Patriarchate, and others deported. Despite Moldova’s independence, the Church continued to face discrimination and was only officially recognized in 2002 following a European Court of Human Rights ruling.
“By supporting these amendments, we acknowledge the history of suffering of the Metropolis of Bessarabia as a victim of Soviet oppression,” Terheș added.
This initiative underlines ECPP’s commitment to the defense of religious freedom across Europe. ECPP President Valeriu Ghilețchi reacted:
“It was encouraging to see the Republic of Moldova featured on the European Parliament’s agenda this week. I appreciate Mr. Terheș’s clear emphasis on the importance of religious freedom during the debate on this report.”
Text of the amendments
Read Mr. Terheș’s amendment below. To access the full European Parliament report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission assessments of Moldova, click here.
Context
The amendments were tabled in the context of the European Parliament’s ongoing review of Moldova’s EU accession process. Moldova submitted its application for EU membership in 2022 and officially began accession negotiations in 2024. The country continues to make steady progress on its European path. On 13 May 2025, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted its report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission assessments of Moldova. This week, the report is being discussed in the European Parliament plenary.
European Christian Political Movement (ECPP)
The European Christian Political Party (ECPP) is the only European political party explicitly
promoting Christian values in politics. Our mission is to elevate Christians’ voices from all
over Europe, to empower them with tools, resources and connection so that they can
effectively and successfully engage with their governments and communities and make an
impact. Our party gathers like-minded individuals, parties and organizations from all over
Europe.
Learn more about ECPP’s values, program and activities at https://ecpp.eu/.
