Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page that if it turns out Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II has violated his vow of celibacy and fathered a child, then "he cannot remain Catholicos."

“If it is confirmed that Karekin II indeed violated the vow of celibacy and has a child, he cannot be the Catholicos of All Armenians, because from the moment this fact emerged, he could no longer have been a celibate priest,” wrote Pashinyan.

He said that he made this statement “with utmost respect for everyone’s right to privacy regarding personal and family life,” but insisted that “the Catholicos of All Armenians cannot have such a personal life.”

Pashinyan said he raises the issue as a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church because he sees a threat to spiritual security. He added that as Prime Minister, he also perceives it as a matter of national security.

He further stated that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin must take a position on this issue, after which the matter will be further clarified.

In a related context, Pashinyan had previously responded to criticism from clergy over his comparison of churches to storage closets during a government meeting. He made several posts containing offensive remarks directed at members of the clergy, which were also echoed by his wife, Anna Hakobyan.

Pashinyan also declared that the state should play a central role in the process of electing the Catholicos of All Armenians.