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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday that the process of deposing Karekin II of the Armenian Apostolic Church would be smooth and imbued with “Christian tolerance and love.”
Pashinyan has accused Karekin II, whom he refers to by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan, of holding office illegitimately. The prime minister has called on the Church leader to step down, but the latter has refused to do so.
“We intend to make him reconsider,” Pashinyan said at a press briefing when asked to comment on Karekin II’s refusal to resign. “Serzh Sargsyan also had no intention of leaving, but he was forced to leave; the same will happen to Ktrich Nersisyan — he will be forced to leave as well,” Pashinyan said, referring to the former president whom he ousted in 2018.
Pashinyan has previously stated that Catholicos Karekin II is illegitimate, alleging that he violated his vow of celibacy by fathering a child. Karekin II and several clergymen have accused Pashinyan of waging an anti-church campaign. Pashinyan has denied this, describing himself as a “devoted follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church” who is fighting against those who have “desecrated the Church’s sanctities.” The Pashinyan administration has also accused Karekin II of being a foreign agent.
Earlier in December, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented a plan he described as a “roadmap for reforming” the Armenian Apostolic Church after Catholicos Karekin II steps down.
The roadmap envisions the election of a locum tenens following Karekin II’s removal. It also calls for the adoption of a new Canon Law, which would address, among other issues, rules and guarantees related to the integrity of clergymen and the financial transparency of the Church. Ultimately, the plan envisions the election of a new Catholicos in accordance with the provisions of the new Canon Law, to be adopted by an authorized church body.
Furthermore, Pashinyan and several clergymen have formed a Council for the Reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The Church leader has denied accusations of illegitimacy.