cecan had retired from priesthood by april 11, complaining to brînzeu that he was being formally investigated by the romanian synod for "catholicizing" bessarabia, but also noting that he had gained many followers. with assistance from his son-in-law vasu, by then a former senator of romania, and with contributions from the public, he intended to set up a daily newspaper. reportedly, some 300 priests, or a third of the bessarabian clergy, had signed up his pro-catholic platform.