Armenian PM, rebel bishops agree to oust Catholicos Garegin II

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signed a so-called “church reform roadmap” with 10 dissident bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The document was signed at the prime minister’s residence by hierarchs who are demanding the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. Two of the ten bishops who were not physically present gave their consent remotely, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Earlier, on December 8, Pashinyan unveiled his plan to “renew the Armenian Apostolic Church,” describing it as a “roadmap.” In his interpretation, the plan is to be implemented following the departure of Catholicos Garegin II — a goal the authorities have been consistently pursuing. The government has also signalled its readiness to assist in drafting a new church charter.

The roadmap reportedly contains the public announcement of a reform program, the removal of the current head of the church, the election of a locum tenens to the patriarchal throne, the adoption of a new church charter, and the subsequent election of a Catholicos of All Armenians.

By Khagan Isayev