Any crime or misconduct attributed to a clergyman should be examined by a special ecclesiastical tribunal, which is responsible for making a decision on the matter, said Karekin II during a press conference with representatives of several media outlets. He was responding to a question about accusations from government representatives concerning an alleged violation of the vow of celibacy or having children.
“If any crime or sin is attributed to a member of the clergy, it must be presented before the appropriate bodies, examined, and a decision must be made.
I do not consider it appropriate for clergymen to respond individually to accusations or provide public explanations. There is one tribunal—the ecclesiastical tribunal—where a clergyman will answer all questions, whether the allegations are justified or defamatory.
That tribunal will determine its position regarding the misconduct attributed to the individual. Therefore, if such accusations are directed at the Catholicos of All Armenians, one must respect the rules and order of the Church and act in accordance with them,” the Catholicos said.
On February 14, Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal proceedings against Catholicos Karekin II and imposed a restriction on his departure from the country.
In January, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ten bishops calling for the Catholicos’s removal announced the launch of reforms within the Armenian Apostolic Church and published what they described as a “roadmap” that envisaged the creation of a coordinating council.
