The Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church, chaired by Catholicos Karekin II at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on May 19, expressed concern over “campaign methods and cases of unlawful force” used ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.
The council described as “highly questionable” the assessment contained in the May 13 interim statement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) pre-election delegation regarding the Armenian Apostolic Church’s “unprecedented involvement in politics.” According to the statement, the council believes the assessment was “guided by disinformation and fully contradicts PACE Resolution No. 2633 (2026) of January 25, 2026.”
The Mother See also said it expects “clear assessments” from PACE regarding what it described as “the authorities’ campaign against the Church.”
“The Supreme Spiritual Council is deeply concerned about the use of unacceptable propaganda methods during the campaign ahead of Armenia’s upcoming parliamentary elections, including repression and unlawful use of force. The atmosphere of hostility and hate speech, along with indecent and inappropriate rhetoric, only deepens divisions and polarization in society, fueling frustration, disappointment and renewed tensions, while also creating serious threats to Armenian statehood.
“We consider unacceptable and condemnable any attempts to target the Church and clergy for political ambitions, as well as efforts to artificially involve the Armenian Church in political processes.
“The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expects clear assessments from PACE regarding the campaign launched by the authorities against the Armenian Church in Armenia, including ongoing restrictions and obstacles imposed through the overt use of state mechanisms, contrary to domestic legislation and international law. These actions directly hinder the Church’s pastoral mission. Illegal actions requiring targeted responses include attempts to pressure clergy through coercion and threats, the initiation of unlawful criminal proceedings against several clergymen, encouragement of clergy acting outside church regulations, illegal employment contracts signed with individual priests, and the appointment of defrocked clergy to spiritual service with state support. These actions directly violate both the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and fundamental human rights and freedoms.
“The unlawful actions of the ruling political force aimed at interfering in the self-governance of the worldwide Armenian Church also require a fair response from international institutions and human rights organizations, especially the ambitions outlined in the electoral platform of the Civil Contract party regarding the ‘reform’ of the Church through the removal of the nationally elected Catholicos. Such a step is both anti-canonical and illegal,” the statement said.
The council also stressed that no body outside the Church and its authorized institutions, including state or political authorities, can carry out “reforms” of church life.
“The vote of confidence granted by the people through elections can only be used to strengthen state sovereignty, ensure the inviolability of the country’s borders, reinforce national identity and restore public solidarity.
“Throughout history, the Armenian state, through its nation-building mission, has served as a strong pillar of our identity and an anchor of our continuity. Armenia’s independent statehood must be safeguarded with wisdom, devotion and vigilance, and never endangered through adventurism,” the statement added.
At the beginning of January, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and 10 bishops calling for the removal of Catholicos Karekin II announced the launch of a “reform” process within the Armenian Apostolic Church and published a so-called “road map.” A coordinating council was formed under the document signed by Pashinyan and the bishops to handle organizational matters related to the Church reforms.
On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos Karekin II and barred him from leaving the country.
