The Investigative Commission on the AAC Issue Approved Its Rules of Procedure

ArmInfo. The Investigative Commission investigating the crisis in the Church resulting from the actions of a number of clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the resulting failure to fulfill the exclusive mission of the AAC in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, the development of their national culture and the preservation of national identity, approved its rules of procedure at a meeting on October 26. 

During the meeting, Commission Chairman Arman Yeghoyan addressed issues related to the approval of the commission’s rules of procedure, the holding of meetings (open or closed), deadlines  and the participation of invited persons. According to him, the commission has the right to invite government officials, specialists and experts, while the information and conclusions obtained during closed meetings are published upon completion of its work in accordance with the country’s legislation.

Later, speaking to journalists, Yeghoyan assured them that the commission would not deal with individuals, but was intended to consider and put forward proposals concerning the regulation of relations between the state and the Church. This includes material, tax, financial and economic issues, as well as the participation of clergymen in political life.   In response to journalists’ remark that resolving these issues would essentially mean interference in Church affairs, the inadmissibility of which was recently stated by the court when considering the issue of defrocking certain clergymen, the MP noted that media representatives had misunderstood the court’s decision. In his opinion,  the court’s decision concerned the absence of an employment contract, and the commission would present proposals to prevent such a situation from arising in the future.  “Someone became the head of the Church, but where is that written? There is property—how is it managed?” Yeghoyan asked, adding that property relations in the state should be regulated by laws. Meanwhile, it is unclear which provisions of the Labor Code, Civil Code or any other code apply to the AAC. Given that the Criminal Code applies to everyone, including clergymen, it can be concluded that all legislation should also apply to the AAC, without any restrictions.

Yeghoyan noted that everyone who has something to say would be invited to discussions held by the commission.