Committee for Defense of  Fundamental Human Rights of People of  Artsakh urges Catholicos of All Armenians to  replace Primate  of  Artsakh Diocese

ArmInfo.  The Committee for the Defense of Fundamental Human Rights of the People of Artsakh has urged His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II to  immediately replace the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese, Bishop  Vrtanes Abrahamyan, as noted in a statement on the Committee's  Facebook page.

Earlier, the head of the Artsakh Diocese joined Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan's anti-church campaign, demanding the Catholicos's  resignation. The Committee pointed out that the bishop's actions have  eroded trust among Armenians of Artsakh and within diocesan life. "We  strongly condemn the fact that the name of the head of the Artsakh  Diocese has become the center of political processes at a time when  the people of Artsakh continue to suffer the grave consequences of  forced displacement, losses, and a national catastrophe. The head of  the Artsakh Diocese should be close to the people, and not create the  impression that the diocese's highest office is being turned into an  instrument of political goals," the statement reads.

The Committee noted that Abrahamyan's approach, regardless of his  subsequent comments, has already sparked justifiable public  discontent, doubts about his legitimacy within the diocese, and  rejection of his role as the spiritual leader of the Armenians of  Artsakh. In this regard, it is noted that the current leadership no  longer ensures the unity, authority, and spiritual security of the  diocese. "That is why the Committee for the Defense of the  Fundamental Rights of the People of Artsakh urges the Catholicos to  replace the head of the Artsakh Diocese, as under the current  conditions, with a lack of trust and constant internal tension, the  diocese can no longer function effectively.

We also call on the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to appoint a  temporary vicar and ensure the normalization of the diocese's  activities in accordance with canonical procedures," the Committee  continued.

Additionally, the Committee for the Defense of the Fundamental Rights  of the People of Artsakh demanded a public, reasoned, and clear  response from Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan. Specifically, the Committee  requested an explanation of the principles that guided him,  recognizing that each of his decisions carries serious national and  spiritual consequences. "We firmly assert: the Artsakh Diocese cannot  be a platform for experiments, personal initiatives, or political  maneuvering. When the head of the diocese causes a schism, he no  longer fulfills his mission," the Committee concluded.