Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has presented what he calls a “roadmap for the renewal” of the Armenian Apostolic Church following the removal of Archbishop of Catholicos Karekin II. In a statement published on his Facebook page, Pashinyan outlined a three-step plan aimed at reforming internal church governance, ensuring transparency, and updating regulations.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed roadmap includes:
1. Election of a locum tenens
Pashinyan stated that a new locum tenens should be elected in accordance with the existing mechanisms of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
2. Adoption of a Church Code of Regulations
A new Code (Canon Law) should address several key areas, including:
- Standards of conduct for clergy and guarantees for ensuring ethical behavior.
- Financial transparency within the Church and mechanisms to safeguard it.
- Non-political character of the Church and measures to prevent political involvement.
- Compliance with Armenian tax legislation, with guarantees that taxes and duties paid to the state will be fully returned to the Church.
- Social protections for clergy, ensuring access to the pension system, income tax refunds, social benefits, and universal health insurance. Pashinyan noted that many clergy members do not currently benefit from these systems due to the absence of a formalized remuneration structure.
3. Election of a New Catholicos
The election of a new Catholicos of All Armenians would take place in accordance with the newly adopted Code of Regulations.
Pashinyan added that the Code should be discussed and approved by a competent church body. He also said that, if requested by the locum tenens, the government would provide advisory support in drafting the new Code.
