Opposition MP says church problems are internal matter

Member of Parliament Garnik Danielyan, representing the opposition Hayastan faction, concurred that “problems” exist within the Armenian Apostolic Church but warned that this does not entitle authorities to interfere.

He said that the “problems” are internal issues of the church.

“I can’t deny that there are problems, but that doesn’t mean that if there are issues regarding some clergymen within the church, the authorities should interfere. That’s an internal matter of the church,” Danielyan said at a press briefing.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, of illegitimately holding office and urged him to step down. Pashinyan has accused the Catholicos of breaching his vow of celibacy and fathering a child. In turn, the clergymen have accused the Prime Minister of waging an anti-church campaign. Pashinyan has denied this, describing himself as a devout follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church who seeks to “liberate” it from corruption and illegitimacy.