faith

Local Jehovah's Witnesses say that registrations for some of their communities have been held up by slowmoving bureaucracy in Transdniestria. Although they are already registered in Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, paperwork for other parts of the country is stalled. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court says no registrations are needed for religious meetings.

Baptists in Tiraspol won a victory in their fight for greater religious freedom and freedom from government registration. After receiving numerous appeals on behalf of Baptists, Transdniestria's Presidential administration backed down and agreed to let the congregations meet without registration. On principle and religious grounds, Baptists believe that no registration is needed.

A Christian cross has been consecrated and placed atop the chapel of the Military Cemetery in Bender. The event marks the final act in a year-long rescue and restoration of the cemetery. Igor Smirnov, government ministers and Ukraine's diplomatic representative were present at the event, which was boycotted by Romania and Moldova.

Moldova is the latest country to restrict religious freedom. Police throughout the Communist-ruled state have been checking the identity of church-goers during recent weeks. Scared priests say this is a campaign of intimidation, and at least one church is now considering relocating to Transdniestria instead.

Moldova's secret police plays a key role in a coordinated campaign of harassment which is currently underway against religious minorities in Moldova. Priests complain of intrusive law enforcement interference and constant questions, insults and threats. But no similar visits have taken place in 'de facto' independent Transdniestria, where locals report higher religious freedom.

Moldova's Communist-led authorities have started legal proceedings against five priests who protested against religious persecution. The five participated in a march against the expulsion of four other priests and a nun from the country. Now, they themselves face government punishment.

Four priests and a nun have been expelled from Moldova in the country's latest crackdown against religious freedom. The leader of the Bessarabian Orthodox Metropolitanate lodged a protest with the Council of Europe. He said that secret police intimidated priests to get them to renounce their faith and switch churches.

Conflicts should be resolved through peaceful negotiations, without any pressure or violence of any kind. That was the key message from Pope Benedict in his Christmas message from the Vatican. He called for an end to conflicts and urged political leaders to find "humane, just and lasting solutions" that would first of all take the will of the affected citizens into account.

A 17 meter tall Christmas tree has been placed in Tiraspol's central square. Throughout this week, the inhabitants of Transdniestria's capital city will be decorating it together. In neighboring Moldova, strongman president Vladimir Voronin has outlawed the public display of Christmas trees until December 30.

Alarm has been raised after several cases of confiscated religious materials at Transdniestria's border with Moldova. According to congregations in both Tiraspol and Bender, Transdniestria's border police is applying arbitrary and heavy-handed methods. In one case, a priest had his car impounded for four days for smuggling church candles.