Moldova's largest Orthodox church rejects Russia label

CHISINAU (Reuters) -A new dispute underscored the split in Moldova's Orthodox faith on Wednesday as the ex-Soviet state's largest church rejected any notion that it was a "Russian church" while a rival church linked to Romania accused it of mass deception.

More than 90% of Moldovans adhere to Orthodox Christianity in the country lying between Ukraine and Romania.

But parishioners are divided between two churches -- the Moldova Metropolis, subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which reports to the Romanian church. Neither has full independence.

MOLDOVA CHURCH SAYS IT IS 'FREE AND INDEPENDENT'

The split has been accentuated by the Russian Orthodox Church's support for Moscow's war in Ukraine, which has buffeted Moldova, with drones repeatedly landing on its territory. Moldova's pro-European government denounces the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbour.

The Moldova Metropolis, in a statement after a synod, played down its Russian links and said it was open to all.

"The Orthodox Church of Moldova is not a 'Russian church' but rather a church of the entire people living in Moldova, made up of believers of different national groups," it said. "It is free and independent in its operations."

The Romania-linked Metropolis of Bessarabia said the larger church was guilty of "duplicity and moral lies."

"It misleads public opinion by claiming to represent the entire Orthodox Church organisation on the territory of historical Moldova," it said. The Moldova Metropolis, it said, was "only a local church structure of the Moscow Patriarchate."

The Romania-linked church also denounced the majority church's decision to strip 11 priests of their authority after they switched sides. Dozens of priests once serving the Moscow-linked church have moved their parishes.

Reuters reported in September that priests from the Moscow-linked church were taken on a tour of Russia and then expected to warn their parishioners of the dangers of the pro-Western government's pursuit of closer European integration.

Moldova, at different times, has been part of the Russian Empire, "Greater Romania" and the Soviet Union. 

(Reporting by Alexander Tanas, Writing by Ron PopeskiEditing by Rod Nickel)