Authorities in search of are conducting secret  negotiations with certain clergymen: Pan- Armenian Council for the  Defense of the Armenian Church

ArmInfo.  The Pan-Armenian Council for the Defense of the Armenian Church has reported secret negotiations taking place between representatives of the political  authorities and certain clergymen. According to the Council, they are  being offered the position of  a to establish  political control over the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). The  Council believes that such a scenario is sacrilege, an attempt to  seize power and a conspiracy directed against both the canonical  order of the church and the constitutional foundations of Armenia.

would  constitute an illegal power grab within the Church, leading to a deep  schism and international discredit. The officials and mediators  involved in this process will be  personally liable for their  actions.  We appeal to the clergy: we strongly urge anyone   approached with such a shameful offer to reject it. A priest who  agrees to serve as a political strays from the  canonical obedience of the Church and becomes an instrument against  its autonomy. Such a step will be assessed as a betrayal of the  covenant and support for the political scenario of destroying the  internal structure of the Church>,  the statement distributed by the  Council reads.

The Pan-Armenian Council for the Defense of the Armenian Church warns  government officials: any attempt to influence the leadership of the  Church, to introduce a or the election  procedure will be documented and will lead to domestic and  international legal processes. From now on, every step taken will be  recorded. , the statement reads.