MOLDOVA- MISSIONARIES
IN DAILY LIFE
Fr. Andrea, this month's theme is parishes. Is there anything specifically
Salesian in the parish pastoral work in Chisinau?
Our community is entrusted with two parishes: one here in Chisinau, in the city,
and, since last year, one in Cretoaia, in a small village 28 km from Chisinau. These
are two very different parishes The one in Chisinau experiences the dynamics of
the city, in particular depersonaltzation and a watered-down sense of belonging.
The one in Cretoaia, on the other hand, is very cohesive, since the village is small,
and all the inhabitants are related to each other. In some ways, it can be said to be
ecumenical because, due to the many mixed marriages, it is attended by both
Catholtcs and Orthodox. In Chisinau, I would say that there is little that is specifically
Salesian in the pastoral work, because the young people and children in the parish
have to be looked after with the fewest of hands. In Cretoaia, on the other hand,
the Salesian specificity of the parish pastoral work is based on the collaboration
with the congregation of nuns founded by Blessed Edmund Bojanowski. They have
been running the only kindergarten in the village for some 20 years.
Pope Francis says that all pastoral work in the Church must be missionary.
Is this element present in your parishes?
Here in Moldova, one must be careful when speaking of missionary work so as to
avoid the risk of being accused of proselytizahon. Here, in fact, we are in a country
with an Orthodox majority and, therefore, Christian. The Orthodox do not like to be
told that Moldova is a mission country, that is, where people go to bring the first
proclamation of Christ; nor is it a country to be re-evangeltsed, despite having lived
for many years under the Soviet regime. I often remind parishioners that each one
of us is a missionary in our daily lives because wherever w e are, w e are called to
bear good witness of Christ so that He can enter the lives of the people we meet
along the way, without necessarily having to enter the Catholic Church.
What great challenges do you find in the Sa/esian presence in Moldova?
There are many challenges in Moldova, especially for a presence such as ours that
is still young (the work was opened in 2007). Despite being in the capital and
despite the strong emigration to Europe, a pronounced mistrust of Catholics is still
palpable not only among the ordinary people but also among the Orthodox clergy
and civil authorities. This constant suspicion of the goodness of our intentions, of
our desire to help young people without seeking our own benefit, is truly
disheartening.
Fr. Andrea Ballan, SDB
Born in Italy in Castelfranco
Veneto, he studied at the UPS
(Salesian Pontifical University) in
Rome and Turin, as well as at
"All Hallows College' in Dublin,
Ireland.
From 2002 to 2017 he lived
in Gatchina, in Russia working
in the "Don Bosco" vocational
training center. After spending
three years in the community
of San Callisto in Rome he
moved to Chisinau in the
Republic of Moldova, where
he still works today
Continent
Africa
America
Asia
Europe
Oceania
Total
Population Catholics % of Catholics in Persons
Mission Stations
the population per priest without resident priests
7,823 mil. 1,346 mil.
17.2%
14,950
128,500
For parishes
That the hearts and minds of the parishioners
in Moldova remain open to the needy
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the centre, may increasingly
become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most
in need. [Prayer intention of Pope Francis]
