Church regulation and reform issues are not within the authority of a self-proclaimed council; such reckless steps could lead to schism with painful consequences – Mother See

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has issued a statement in response to the one signed last evening by the Prime Minister and ten bishops.

“The actions undertaken by the head of the Armenian government, under the pretext of regulating and reforming the internal life of the Church, directly violate the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and infringe upon the rights of the Church, both under international law and Armenian legislation.

The involvement of bishops in such anti-Church processes, as well as the pressure exerted on the clergy, is condemnable. Issues concerning the life of the Church are discussed exclusively within the appropriate ecclesiastical bodies, in strict accordance with canonical regulations.

It is deeply troubling that the aforementioned ten bishops have failed to respond in any manner to the appeals and invitations addressed to them by the Mother See and continue to evade meetings and discussions with the Patriarch of All Armenians and the Supreme Spiritual Council regarding the issues they raise.

It must be emphasized that matters of Church regulation and reform do not fall within the purview of a self-proclaimed council, but rest with the Patriarchate of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and its highest governing bodies.

Such reckless steps could lead to schism with grave and painful consequences,” the statement said.