Christian Solidarity International urges Armenia to respect church independence

Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has called on the Armenian government to withdraw its recently published report on the crisis within the Armenian Apostolic Church, describing the document as undermining the Church’s autonomy.

In a statement issued on September 28, CSI urged the government to abandon its plan to remove Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and to respect the Armenian Apostolic Church’s independence.

The organization also called on Armenia’s international partners, including the United States, the European Union and the Council of Europe, to remind Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of the country’s human rights obligations and press his government to refrain from interfering in the Church’s internal affairs.

The Armenian government published the report on September 24 following instructions from Pashinyan. The document identifies what it describes as a crisis within the Armenian Apostolic Church and outlines measures for addressing it.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has also rejected the government report, calling it unconstitutional, unlawful and an interference in the Church’s internal affairs.

By Vafa Guliyeva