Primate Mirzakhanyan of Tbilisi, Georgia on Canadian Visit

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada
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Contact: Deacon Hagop Arslanian,
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Wed, Nov 5 2008

Primate Mirzakhanyan of Tbilisi, Georgia on Canadian Visit
Meetings with Apostolic Nuncio, Vatican See
And Government Official, Parliamentarians in Ottawa & Montreal

His Eminence Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Church of
Georgia was welcomed in Canada by His Eminence, Bargat Galstanian, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada, this week in Montreal. In
the following days, they met with the Apostolic Nuncio representing the
Vatican Sea, Mr. Arman Akopian representing the Republic of Armenia and
held important meetings with Minister Gary Goodyear, representing the
Canadian Government, and also Hon. Irwin Cotler, Liberal Member of
Parliament and Mr. Thomas Mulcair, New Democrat Member of Parliament from
Outremont, QC=2E

On Monday, November 3, 2008 Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan of Georgia together
with Bishop Bagrat Galstanian began their Ottawa schedule with a courtesy
call to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, where they were received
by Mr. Arman Akopian, Chargé d’Affaires. The visit included an exchange
on the issues and the current state of affairs in Georgia and highlighted
a discussion on the recent developments in the South Caucasus region, as
they relate to the life of the Armenian Community and the Christian
fellowship in that country=2E

The next notable stop on this visit for Bishop Mirzakhanyan and Bishop
Galstanian was a meeting with the Secretary of State for Science and
Technology Hon. Gary Goodyear. On behalf of the Canadian Armenian
Community, Primate Galstanian congratulated Mr. Goodyear on his
appointment and wished him every success in carrying out his new
responsibility. Minister Goodyear thanked Primate Galstanian, for his kind
wishes and reaffirmed his desire to work on issues of mutual concern. The
Honorable Gary Minister Goodyear extended his complete and insightful
attention to the chronicles of the lives of Armenians and other minorities
in Georgia. Primate Vazgen Mirzakhanyan described in detail, about their
circumstances in general and the serious consequences created by the
recent turmoil for some communities in the South Caucasus. He specifically
emphasized the potential for problematic challenges ahead for the ethnic
and religious minorities in the Republic. In his summary, His Eminence
stressed that Canada has been observed throughout the world as a protector
of human and minority and religious rights. It is once again, Canada’s
positive standing and strong voice that is required and called upon.

At the Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa, Primate Mirzakhanyan met the
Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Archbishop Luigi Ventura. The Apostolic
Nuncio welcomed the Armenian Bishops and expressed his brotherly love and
admiration towards the Armenian Church’s witness in Christian fellowship.
Primate Mirzakhanyan spoke about the ecumenical relations in Georgia that
is organized under the Interreligious Council. The Armenian Diocese of
Georgia and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese enjoy close cooperation and
during the war, both Churches provided sanctuary to refugees. The
Apostolic Nuncio praised the role of Primate Mirzakhanyan and promised to
do whatever in his capacity to help the Christian churches, various
denominations in Georgia=2E

On November 4th, 2008 the Honorable Irwin Cotler visited the Diocese of
the Armenian Church in Outremont and met Bishop Mirzakhanyan. The Armenian
Primate of Georgia gave extensive information about the current state of
developments in the Republic. Again, he presented his views on the
political, economic and social consequences of the war. Srpazan
highlighted that a more engaging role of Canada is expected in the South
Caucasus region to help boost the cause of human rights, religious
freedoms and respect of minorities. The Honorable Irwin Cotler was pleased
to hear the analysis of Primate Mirzakhanyan and promised to raise the
concern for the minorities in the newly elected Canadian Parliament when
it sits later this month. Mr. Cotler has been the Minister of Justice in
the Federal Government and is a highly respected legal authority and
voice, across the world=2E

Canada can be an avid advocate to safeguard the realization of rights and
privileges for Armenians and the other minority groups in the South
Caucasus Republic. Canada would be a welcomed voice playing a significant
and constructive role in the region by encouraging the South Caucasus
Republic, to not only respect minority rights and religious freedom, but
to seek to promote their protection=2E

A similar meeting was held with Mr. Thomas Mulcair, NDP Member of
Parliament for the riding of Outremont, Quebec. Mr. Mulcair thanked the
Diocese of the Armenian Church for organizing this meeting. During their
session together, the issues of the constitution and the pertaining legal
aspects as well as the current condition of the Armenian churches,
schools, and historical monuments and memorials, were all reviewed. Mr.
Mulcair was exceedingly appreciative for the comprehensive update provided
by Bishop Mirzakhanyan, and assured him that the background knowledge had
enlightened his perspective on the issue of the South Caucusus. He
reiterated that with this information he will be in a more advantageous
position to help raise the awareness of this issue in the upcoming
parliamentary deliberations and sessions, which no doubt will include the
subject of Canada and Georgia and international relations and trade=2E

Accompanying the Bishops on all official visits and scheduled meetings, in
Ottawa and Montreal was Dn. Hagop Arslanian.

05 Nov 2008 by Press Office
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