“THE FIRST STEP TO SOLVE THE COMPLEX SITUATION CREATED IN ARMENIA IS TO STOP PUBLIC ACCUSATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS”
“WE HAVE TO RESPECT OUR SANCTUARIES WITH UTMOST AWE”
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I made these statements to the representatives of the Armenian political parties who visited or had a phone call with him. His Holiness declared that the current situation, both internal and external, may put Armenia in terrible danger and lead to irreversible consequences. “Utmost efforts are needed to prevent such endangering conditions. The Church, at its turn, is called to review the issues linked to it and seek solutions, the same way that the state, at its turn, must approach the questions related to it refraining from steps that create more complications and polarization. The laws must be respected, as well as the authority of the Church and its right to review internally its issues. It is necessary to stay away from the use of language and style that do not agree with our spiritual, national, and political values. Therefore, THE FIRST PHASE TO DE-ESCALATE THE CURRENT COMPLEX SITUATION SHOULD BE TO CEASE ANY KIND OF PUBLIC DECLARATIONS.
We also learned with sorrow about law enforcement entering Holy Etchmiadzin and about the inadmissible situation created there. We condemn such steps. We have to respect our sanctuaries with utmost awe. We also call upon the state bodies to put an end to the campaign of arrests and have a calm approach to situations and circumstances deemed illegal.”
His Holiness will continue his consultations to come out of the current situation and, firstly, to cease public declarations with parties and organizations, and naturally with the government of Armenia. This will make possible to prevent future complications and looks for ways to find solutions in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.
