By Siranush Adamyan
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has condemned provisions in the ruling Civil Contract party’s election program targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church, calling them unconstitutional and an infringement on religious freedom.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Mother See said the inclusion of plans to reform the Church, revise its statutes, remove the Catholicos of All Armenians, and organize new elections amounted to a violation of constitutional order and the Church’s right to self-governance.
“The imposition of such an agenda is a clear encroachment on fundamental principles of freedom of conscience and religion,” the statement said.
The Church accused the ruling party of pursuing an “anti-church ideology,” arguing that campaign pledges to continue what it described as unlawful actions against the Church revealed the political intent behind the proposals.
The statement stressed that the Armenian Apostolic Church’s centuries-old mission and spiritual life should not become a subject of political manipulation. It reiterated that the election of the Catholicos and internal reforms fall strictly within the Church’s canonical domain and lie outside the authority of political parties or state institutions.
The Mother See also warned that such an approach could harm national interests, undermine core values, and weaken what it described as the country’s “spiritual security.”
The controversy comes amid broader tensions between the Armenian government and the Church, which have escalated in recent years. Civil Contract’s election program includes proposals that critics say could significantly alter the balance between state and religious institutions.
Also read: Ruling party’s program targets church leadership change
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