During a meeting with representatives of several media outlets, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II responded to a question about what would happen if the authorities decided to arrest him.
He stated that the Church would use all legal means available to seek justice.
“If we do not succeed, as was the case with our other clergymen, we are also prepared to bear that unjust punishment and decision with the same sense of duty. However, our position will not change. We will remain faithful to our sacred vow, our service, our nation and homeland, and to the defense of the autonomy of the Church,” the Catholicos said.
Commenting on statements regarding his possible removal from office, Karekin II said that forcing the Armenian Patriarch from the throne is not a simple matter.
“The Church has its own canonical principles, and the removal of the Armenian Patriarch is not subject to the will of any authority, individual or institution. If there are questions concerning the Armenian Patriarch or any clergyman, those issues are discussed in the appropriate bodies and decisions are made there,” he said.
The Civil Contract party’s election platform includes provisions related to reforming the Church, revising its charter, removing the Catholicos of All Armenians and holding new Catholicos elections. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has stated that the adopted approach is harmful to the nation and entirely unacceptable.
