World Council of Churches voices concern over Armenia's treatment of Apostolic Church

By Zhanna Avagyan

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed concern over the Armenian authorities' handling of the dispute with the Armenian Apostolic Church, warning against state interference in the Church's internal affairs.

In a statement issued on Friday, WCC central committee moderator Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay said they were "deeply concerned" by the current situation affecting the Armenian Apostolic Church. They reaffirmed the Church's importance "in the spiritual, cultural, and historical life of the Armenian people and in the wider Christian family" and said the WCC was concerned about "undue interference in inner church matters."

The statement came hours after Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared before a criminal court in Vagharshapat in the first criminal trial of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the country's history. The opening hearing ended without substantive proceedings after the presiding judge recused himself, and the case was reassigned to another judge.

Also read: Armenian Catholicos appears in unprecedented criminal trial as judge recuses himself

The prosecution accuses Karekin II and six members of the Supreme Spiritual Council of failing to comply with a court order requiring the temporary reinstatement of former Masyatsotn Diocese Primate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan while his civil lawsuit against the Church is pending. Prosecutors argue that the Church leadership deliberately obstructed enforcement of the ruling after defrocking Saroyan despite the court order and notifications from the enforcement service.

The Armenian Apostolic Church rejects the charges, maintaining that the appointment and dismissal of bishops are matters governed exclusively by canon law and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of state courts. Saroyan was removed by Karekin II in January over what the Church described as abuse of office, negligence and pressure against clergy. Since his dismissal, Saroyan has aligned himself with a group of bishops calling for the Catholicos' resignation.

The WCC said it hoped the dispute would be resolved "in a way that will foster the flourishing of the whole Armenian people," adding that it would continue to uphold the Armenian Church and its faithful "in prayer and support during this time."

The WCC joins a growing list of international religious and rights organizations that have criticized the proceedings. Earlier this week, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, the Armenian Diocese of the Eastern United States, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) issued statements criticizing the prosecution. Religious freedom watchdog Forum 18 has also argued that the case constitutes state interference in the Church's internal affairs, while six United Nations human rights experts have questioned Armenia's use of criminal and terrorism-related charges against senior clergy.

Also read: Catholicos Aram I, U.S. Eastern Diocese join calls criticizing trial of Catholicos Karekin II