PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
Communiqué
His Holiness commends Canadian Parliamentarians for Genocide Recognition
On Thursday April 22nd, 2004 the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All A
rmenians His Holiness Karekin II, sent a letter to the Members of the Houseof
Commons and in particular to Mr. Sakis Assadourian for his tireless effortsin
successful passing of M-380 during the Parliament Session the day before.
The Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, who headed the Diocesan faithful and attended the parliamentary
session, communicated by telephone and informed His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of
All Armenians that the Canadian Parliament recognized the Armenian genocide
and condemned it as a crime against humanity.
Attached is the letter of His Holiness.
April 22,2004
The Honorable Peter Miliken, M.P.
Speaker
House of Commons
Ottawa, Canada
Dear Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Commons,
We offer glory and thank to Almighty God, having learned from the
Primate of the Armenians of Canada His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galsdanian,
that on Wednesday, April 21,2004 , the Armenian Genocide was
officially recognized by the Parliament of the great country of
Canada. We are grateful that following the brutal years of 1915
through 1923 the Armenian people found shelter and acceptance in the
blessed county in Canada, as in many other countries throughout the
world. The children of the first genocide of the twentieth century not
only survived in their new homes, but they thrived, becoming
contributing, loyaland worth citizens.
However, as we approach the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
in 2005,the important issue of genocide remains before the whole of
mankind, Genocide can never be solution to the religious, social and
political conflicts of our times. The way to prevent genocide is to
recognize it. The only way to find justice for its victims, both
living and dead, is to condemn it. Genocide is not a crime against one
nation, but rather it id against man and God. It isthe gravest crime
against humanity. God’s primary grace is the gift we offer to God. All
should be made aware that any action directed against the life of man,
shall be condemned from its inception. Human suffering can be stopped,
through the actions of brave men and women such as you, which help
justice to prevail.
We highly appreciate and value your consideration of this issue and
readiness to champion its resonance to greater awareness. The humane
and caring act encourages all in this troubled and turbulent world who
have been victims of man’s inhumanity towards man.
On behalf of the worldwide Armenian Church and People, We as
Catholicos of All Armenians, commend the Parliament of Canada for
their recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. From the
spiritual center of our nation, The Mother See Of Holy Etchmiadzin, We
offer Our prayers up to God in heaven, asking for His bountiful
blessings and His ever provident care to be with the people of Canada
and all of Mankind.
With Blessings,
Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians