Armenian opposition refuses to support creation of church affairs commission
The parliamentary factions of the opposition blocs “Strong Armenia” and “Armenia” refused to participate in the vote on the establishment of an investigative commission on church affairs. They will also not be included in the work of the above-mentioned commission, reports News.am.
The parliamentary factions of the opposition blocs “Strong Armenia” and “Armenia” refused to participate in the vote on the establishment of an investigative commission on church affairs. They will also not be included in the work of the above-mentioned commission, reports News.am.
The question was put to a vote in parliament by the ruling party “Civil Contract”. The commission is said to be necessary to study the crisis in the Armenian Apostolic Church and its failure to fulfill its “exceptional mission in the spiritual life of the Armenian people.” The head of the Strong Armenia faction, Narek Karapetyan, called this project unconstitutional.
According to the Zhokhovurd newspaper, the commission will be able to request documents, information and other materials from state bodies. It should consist of seven deputies from the Civil Contract and 4 from the opposition. The commission will be headed by MP from the ruling party Arman Egoyan.
On September 24, the Armenian government published a report on the crisis of the Armenian church, which provides the reasons for the removal of the Catholicos of all Armenians Garegin II. Among them are the violation by the Catholicos of the vow of celibacy; the financial opacity of the church, misuse of property, clan management.
Lucine Balasian
