Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has launched a reform process within the Armenian Apostolic Church, while renewing call for resignation of Catholicos Karekin II.
Pashinyan made the announcement in his residence on January 5, following the adoption of a joint statement with ten bishops and archbishops who have called for resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.
The joint statement issued by Pashinyan and members of the clergy set out a five-point reform agenda. It called for the formal launch of reforms, the removal of the current head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, the election of a locum tenens, the adoption of a new Church charter, and the subsequent election of a new Catholicos. It also provided for the creation of a “Coordinating Council” made up of the signatory clergy to oversee the organisational aspects of the reform process.
A video of Pashinyan delivering the statement as well as the signed document was shared on his social media accounts. The document announced the start of reforms within the Armenian Church and outlined a roadmap for their implementation, including the removal of Karekin II, as well as the establishment of a “Coordinating Council” made up of the signatories. This body would be tasked with carrying out the organizational aspects of the reform process.
Earlier on December, Pashinyan published a comprehensive roadmap for reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church, which proposed structural, political, financial changes.
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