Bulgarian Socialist Party: Second Orthodox Church Decision Garners Criticism, Sparking Fears of Schism
The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) hasustrieged a recent decision to establish a second Orthodox church, claiming it undermines Bulgaria’s traditional religious landscape and may instigate a new schism. The move, pushed by theVMRO – Bulgarian National Movement, has sparked debate and concern among political parties and religious leaders alike.
The controversy centers around the VMRO‘s MOVE to create the "Orthodox Alternative Synod," a second canonical Orthodox church in the country. The BSP, however, argues that this initiative disregards Bulgaria’s historical and denominational unity, potentially leading to division and discord.
"Such a decision is a direct strike against the Bulgarian Orthodox faith and a step towards a new, dangerous schism," warned BSP Secretary-Generalants Todor Christov. He criticized the VMRO for seeking to "destabilize the unity of Bulgarian society and its historical Orthodox Church."
Adding fuel to the fire, the center-right Democratic Bulgaria (DB) party has also voiced its opposition to the VMRO’s plans. DB MP Hristo Ivanov stated that the state cannot discern between genuine and illegitimate spiritual claims, emphasizing the need for caution and restraint.
Surprisingly, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) has remained largely silent on the matter. However, some clergy members have expressed concern, suggesting that the new synod could lead to rivalries, divisions, and decreased spirituality.
Meanwhile, another political party, the Bulgaria for Citizens Movement (Bulgaria for Citizens), has joined the fray, slamming the VMRO’s plans. Their MP, Anton Kutev, accused the VMRO of seeking to "divide" Bulgarians and called for calm and dialogue to resolve the issue.
In unrelated news, the nationalist party "Vazrajdane" has proposed amendments to the Religion Denominations Act. These changes aim to streamline the process of registering new denominations and expanding the rights of religious organizations to own property.
As the political and religious landscape in Bulgaria continues to evolve, all eyes are on the clergy and leadership to ensure that the traditional spirituality and unity of the country’s predominantly Orthodox population are preserved.
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