Do not forget us

April 7 was a tragic day in the Moldavian Republic. Thousands of rioters assaulted and set to fire the Parliament and the presidential residence in the capital city Chisinau as a sign of protest against election turnout, won by the ruling Communist Party with 50% of votes. A local TV station reported the death of a girl, asphyxiated by the smoke caused by the fire. Over 60 people were injured, including a large number of policemen. Dozens of thousands rioted in the streets, mostly youth and students. We met Msgr. Anton Cosa, Bishop of Chisinau, in Rome and asked him to brief us on those tragic hours. The Bishop seized this opportunity to launch an appeal to Europe. Your Excellency, could you tell us what happened in Chisinau during those days? “Tensions ensued the recent elections in the Moldavian Republic. There were clashes and casualties, a very tense moment. It is a very poor Country but now it also appears to be very unstable also from the social angle. We are very concerned. Long before the elections we asked our communities to pray and prepare people to address this delicate moment of elections with a peaceful approach, and not to respond to provocations. Unfortunately things didn’t work out this way. We live near the President’ residence. We saw and heard everything with much sorrow and pain. We were also worried that we might be unexpectedly involved in the clashes”. Were you afraid?“We were afraid. And we felt the pain one feels in seeing a democracy without solid bases that would keep its People united. We were also concerned for our home. Fortunately nothing happened”. How are things at present?“The opposition is upset and grants no credit to the election’s turnout. People are afraid since the police took the rioters, some of them reported being hit and showed the signs of the blows. Some died during the riots. The society is divided. We don’t know whether the population is divided in two equal parts or whether there is a majority and a minority. But this division does exist. Monitors said no violations had taken place, but no evidence to avail this claim was brought up in the period envisaged by the legislation. Thus no one can tell whether it’s true. In our capacities as Church representatives we can and must preserve peace in the Country”. Would you like to launch an appeal?“Yes. I wish to call upon our Church to remain calm and to be active, not passive, on the basis of the fact that everyone is responsible for the life of the Country. And also if we’re a small minority, we must let our voices be heard”. To say what?“We are against violence, we’re against election manipulation. We want to live in a real and true democracy with solid bases and we want to progress towards Europe. We need help, we don’t want Europe to forget and isolate us. We want Europe to know that in the Moldavian Republic there are good-hearted people who need help and who are suffering. It’s a poor Country. Many people emigrated to help their families. We don’t want our brothers to feel they’re in exile, abandoned. They must be able to count on the fact that one day they will be able to return home, and find a Country that is ready to grant them hospitality”. What does the Country need today?“Hope. When everyone says we don’t have anything, that we’re poor, that there’s no future for our Country, the Church is called to convey hope and show her people where this hope is to be found. The events that occurred during Communist rule must never happen again. We must not seek the solution to problems by force, fear and intimidation. No, we no longer want this to happen. Not only, we call upon everyone to refrain from responding to such means”. What does the Church of the Moldavian Republic expect from Europe? “During the riots I received many letters and phone-calls. I saw with my own eyes that we’re not alone. This is what European Churches can do. They can stay near us, follow the situation and support us. From the political and international angle, our request is not to go against our government since the government represents a people. It may be weak, and not enjoy everyone’s support, but it represents a population, and mostly, a hope. It is necessary to be cautious and realistic, but we must not abandon and isolate the Country. Otherwise we risk following the same road of the past”.