In 2024, the Metropolis of Bessarabia tackled domestic violence as part of its social mission, as underscored in the activity report, which highlighted the Church’s growing involvement in domestic violence prevention in the Republic of Moldova.
This engagement began with the organization of the conference “Family Under the Protection of Faith: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Domestic Violence”, which brought together over 90 participants in Chișinău, including religious leaders, experts in women’s and children’s rights, representatives of central Moldovan authorities, and NGOs from both the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
This effort continued into 2024 with training programs for clergy from the Metropolis of Bessarabia who wish to address the issue actively. All priests under the Romanian Patriarchate are expected to benefit from this initiative, and a domestic violence prevention and intervention guide will soon be made available to them.
A Year of Collaboration and Solidarity
“2024 was a year of collaboration and solidarity across the entire Metropolis of Bessarabia. We strengthened partnerships and developed joint actions to respond more concretely to people’s needs,” said Igor Belei, Executive Director of the Diaconia Social Mission.
“Our entire activity was carried out in close coordination with the dioceses, deaneries, and parishes of the Metropolis of Bessarabia to ensure that the support provided was better organised and more effective.”
A Heart Beating with Christian Love
“The Church is not only a structure of stone, but above all, a house of mercy and love — a place where suffering finds comfort, the fallen are lifted, and the weak are strengthened,” wrote Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia in the annual report.
“In 2024, declared by the Romanian Patriarchate as the Solemn Year of Pastoral Care and Assistance for the Sick, we were reminded with renewed urgency that serving our neighbour is the very heart of the Gospel.”
“The Social Mission Diaconia of the Metropolis of Bessarabia is not just the philanthropic arm of our Church, but a heart beating with Christian love, gathering around it merciful souls — people who understand that the greatest fulfilment is found in serving others,” His Eminence added.
Direct Aid and Community Empowerment
Diaconia’s 2024 budget reached nearly 2.3 million euros, with almost half — 1 million euros — allocated to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, including emergency relief programs.
An additional 490,000 euros were invested in family and child assistance programs, while more than 410,000 euros funded community interventions—key actions that revitalise and empower small communities and teach them civic engagement and social solidarity.
Photo: Social Mission Diaconia
