Prime Minister’s actions violate Constitution – Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin responded to media inquiries.

“In connection with the statement signed last night by the Prime Minister and ten bishops, we find it necessary to emphasize the following:

a. The actions taken by the head of Government of Armenia under the pretext of regulating and reforming the internal life of the Church blatantly violate the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, trampling on the rights of the Church enshrined both at the international level and in Armenian legislation;

b. The involvement of bishops in such anti-church processes and the pressure exerted on the clergy deserve condemnation. Matters concerning church life are discussed exclusively within the appropriate ecclesiastical bodies in accordance with canonical rules. It is troubling that the mentioned ten bishops have so far failed to respond to the appeals and invitations addressed to them by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, continuing to avoid meetings and discussions on their concerns with the Catholicos of All Armenians and the Supreme Spiritual Council;

c. It should be emphasized that matters of regulation and reform of the Church fall within the competence not of a self-proclaimed council, but of the Patriarchate of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and its highest structures;

d. Such reckless steps risk leading to division with painful consequences,” the statement reads.