Armenia Government and Church Clash Over Institutional Reform
Church-state dispute moves to the international arena
Armenia's government intensified its dispute with the Armenian Apostolic Church this week, publishing a report detailing 16 alleged institutional failures including violations of clerical celibacy, financial opacity, nepotism in appointments, and politicization of the altar. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the report revealed the church had been "seized" by Catholicos Karekin II and allied clergy. The government's 2026-2031 program identifies the removal or retirement of Catholicos Karekin II as an objective.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin rejected the report as unconstitutional and unlawful interference in church affairs. Christian Solidarity International, an international Christian human rights organization, also disputed the government's findings, arguing the report conflicted with church autonomy principles under Armenian and international law.
