ARF Bureau backs Armenian Apostolic Church

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Bureau has issued a statement harshly criticizing the actions of the Armenian authorities, which it claims are directed against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and its spiritual leadership.

"Today, as the Armenian people collectively face serious security threats and existential dangers to Armenia and its people remain unresolved, when national unity and cohesion are vital, the ruling regime has launched an overt campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church, its Catholicos of All Armenians, and the episcopal clergy.

The administration’s reprehensible intentions and rhetoric targeting one of the pillars of our identity are clearly anti-national and unconstitutional.

There is no doubt that these disgraceful smear campaigns coincided with the Church’s initiatives to defend national interests and the rights of Artsakh Armenians in international forums.

It is also evident that these encroachments align with the immoral and deceitful remarks of the religious leader of a hostile nation and coincide with attempts by certain groups in Armenia to exploit the topic of religious freedom, undermining the Church’s constitutionally enshrined historical mission and status.

Failing to value the unique historical role of the Armenian Church in national life and targeting it not only serves hostile interests but also deepens the country's moral crisis, weakens our collective resilience, and disrespects the sacred sentiments and dignity of the faithful Armenian people.

The ARF Bureau expresses its unwavering support for the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, strongly condemns the ruling regime’s destructive and anti-state actions against it, and declares that the full capacity and unity of the party's global structure stands with the Church in pursuit of the Armenian people's collective aspirations and the strengthening of Armenian statehood," the statement reads.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Facebook that "it is necessary to take practical steps to free the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin's Catholicosate and to organize new Catholicos elections." He added that at this stage, "we must form a Coordinating Group to handle the organizational matters related to this agenda." He further stated that he "will take responsibility for selecting the first 10 members of the Coordinating Group."