Petru Păduraru’s resignation was not the end of the scandal
The resignation of former Bessarabian Metropolis leader Petru Păduraru has not ended his troubles.
Today, the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church approved the resignation of the former metropolitan. But the wording included an important clarification: “the cessation of administrative, liturgical and pastoral activity” – adică încetarea activității administrative, liturgice și pastorale.
In other words, Păduraru has not merely lost the rank of metropolitan. He has effectively been banned from ministry altogether. That is a radical measure. At least he was not anathematised.
Banned twice in one lifetime
After this decision, Păduraru becomes one of the few hierarchs in church history to be banned from ministry twice. The first time was in 1992, by the Russian Orthodox Church, for schism. The second time is now, by the Romanian Orthodox Church. The official reason has still not been clearly stated. But it is increasingly difficult to believe that this is only about age and health.
