Pashinyan’s goal is to separate Diaspora from Armenia – Jack Hadjinian

The Armenian authorities are trying to control the Church and decide who should become the next Catholicos, former Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian said in an interview with Alpha News, discussing the relationship between the Church, Armenia, and the Diaspora.

According to him, it is impossible to imagine such government interference in church affairs in the United States or the world in general.

“It’s out of the question for a head of state in the United States to attempt to replace church leaders or interfere in spiritual life. In the United States, government is separate from the Church,” he noted.

Hadjinian praised the role of Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia in the life of the Diaspora. He believes the current Armenian authorities are seeking to diminish the Diaspora’s influence in national affairs.

“I believe that Pashinyan does not attach importance to the Diaspora and wants to separate it from Armenia,” he said.

Jack Hadjinian expressed concern about the state of security in Armenia, noting that the “era of peace” promised by the authorities has not materialized.

“Today, Azerbaijan and Turkey have more interests in Armenia than the Armenian people themselves,” he emphasized.

He also touched upon the negotiations held in Washington under the mediation of the US President, noting that Armenia did not take advantage of the opportunity to achieve significant results, especially regarding the return of prisoners.