Armenian PM says Catholicos Karekin II should resign if he fathered child Photo

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II cannot remain in his position if it is proven that he has violated his monastic vows by fathering a child.

In a Facebook post, Pashinyan emphasised his respect for individuals’ privacy and their right to a private and family life, but stressed that such personal matters are incompatible with the expectations placed on the spiritual leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Caliber.Az reports.

“If it turns out that Karekin II has indeed broken his vow of celibacy and has a child, he cannot serve as Catholicos of All Armenians, as he would not have been eligible to become a celibate priest in the first place,” Pashinyan said.

Raising the matter “with all due respect,” the prime minister said he was speaking both as a member of the Armenian Apostolic Church and as head of government, citing concerns over “spiritual security” and “national security.”

Pashinyan called on the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to take a position on the issue, after which further clarification should follow.

By Aghakazim Guliyev