SCJ WORKS IN MOLDOVA

Moldova or the Republic of Moldavia was formerly part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It has a population of 4,430,000 of whom Moldavians comprise 65%, Ukrainians 14%, Russians 13%, and others 8%. The vast majority (98%) of the people belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. Catholics form a very small minority of less than 1%.

The SCJs have a parish and social center in Raszkow. The parish church is the oldest Catholic Church in the area (more than 200 years old). For many years, during the rule of the Communists, the Church became a factory for chemical products. One part of the Church served as a water tower. At the beginning of the 1990's, the Church was reclaimed by the parishioners.

The SCJs also have a small parish in Sloboda Raszkova which has a meaningful history. The actual Church was built in 1992.

The former Church was built on the property of one of the parishioners and was destroyed by special forces of the Communist regime. The people suffered through a long period of persecution and many of the parishioners were deported to Siberia and Kazachstan as enemies of the regime.

At the present time, Father Henry Soroka, SCJ, is working in the parish. He discovered an exemplary way of collaborating with the parishioners and especially with the only public entity in this small village, an elementary school.

The people suffered terribly and children were in danger of being undernourished. He set up a program to feed the school children (about 100 in number). For many of the children, this was the only food they received every day. The meals were prepared by the mothers of the children in the school's kitchen. Father Henry was responsible for getting the food.

The SCJ's also have a parish in Rybnica.