ArmInfo. "The presence of Ktrich Nersisyan (Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin B - ed.) and his inner circle at the Mother See of Etchmiadzin causes the greatest harm to the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) and hurts the feelings of believers," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during a briefing on December 4, answering an ArmInfo correspondent's question about whether attempts had been made-before the demand for the Catholicos' resignation was made public-to hold discussions with him and reach a compromise to avoid such a stir around the Church, damage to its authority, and other negative consequences.
The Prime Minister emphasized that working behind the scenes is not conducive to him, as he is a public figure. "Therefore, I am stating with complete transparency what I have already said," Pashinyan remarked.
At the same time, the head of government disagreed with the statement that the authorities are demanding the Catholicos' resignation. "We are saying that the process has begun, and he must go. There is no question of whether to resign or not-he simply must go," the prime minister emphasized.
Responding to a journalist's clarification that a personal meeting with the Catholicos could have prevented the current uproar surrounding the Church, the prime minister responded that he considers what is happening "a healing process." "Democratic countries should not be afraid of noise and public debate. I have had numerous occasions to speak with Ktrich Nersisyan, and the impression left by these conversations only strengthened my conviction that his presence in the Mother See of Etchmiadzin is causing catastrophic harm to the Armenian Apostolic Church," he said.
Pashinyan also noted that spiritual matters were never discussed during his lengthy conversations with the Catholicos. "I believed that I had no right to touch upon these topics in his presence, and he himself did not raise them, since these issues are not within his area of interest," the Prime Minister concluded.
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