Government program calls for removal of Karekin II, new election and Church reforms

The Pashinyan administration’s 2026-2031 program includes measures for what it describes as the reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church, including the removal of its current head, Catholicos Karekin II, from office and the holding of a new election for the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other members of his administration have repeatedly accused Karekin II of illegitimately holding office and called on him to step down. He has so far refused to do so and denied any wrongdoing.

“Reforming the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is a vital necessity for addressing the issue of having a value-based spiritual life. The agenda of reforming the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church serves to bring the Church into the field of canonicity and exclude the politicization of the Church,” the program states.

“In order to ensure spiritual security, exclude attempts by external forces to turn the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church into a foothold for hybrid warfare, and reform the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, efforts will be made to implement the following agenda:

The removal (retirement) of the de facto head of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church will be ensured, and a Locum Tenens of the Catholicos will be elected in accordance with the established procedure. The adoption of a charter for the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church will be ensured, establishing mechanisms for upholding the stipulated principles, ensuring financial transparency and the good conduct of clergy. The election of the Catholicos of All Armenians will be ensured in accordance with the established procedure.

The government will also undertake to include clergy in the state system of social guarantees and ensure transparency in the financing of the Church,” the program states.