By PanARMENIAN
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has strongly condemned the inclusion of what it described as “objectionable provisions concerning the Armenian Apostolic Church” in the pre-election program of the Civil Contract party.
“The inclusion in the party’s electoral program of an imposed agenda on church reform, revision of its charter, the removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the holding of new catholicos elections constitutes a clear violation of constitutional order, the Church’s right to self-governance, as well as fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion.
Through promises to continue evidently unlawful actions against the Church, the ruling political force once again demonstrates the full anti-church essence and objective of its ideology.
The millennia-old mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, its sacred traditions, and spiritual life must not become objects of political manipulation. As the Mother See has repeatedly affirmed, the election of the Catholicos and any reforms within the Church domain belong exclusively to the spiritual-canonical sphere and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of political parties and state authorities.
The adopted unlawful course of action is harmful to the nation and absolutely unacceptable. It contradicts the interests of our worldwide nation, endangers the foundations of national values, and undermines spiritual security,” the statement said.
Earlier, the Civil Contract party’s election program published on April 4 included provisions on church reform and the removal of the Catholicos.
On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, imposing a travel ban.
—