Pashinyan outlines 'church reform roadmap' after leader's removal

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday outlined a “roadmap" of the Armenian Apostolic Church reforms that he said should follow the removal of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, whom he referred to by his lay name Ktrich Nersisyan.

The plan calls for the election of a locum tenens under the current church procedures and the adoption of a new church charter. Pashinyan said the charter should set standards for clergy conduct, ensure financial transparency, safeguard the church’s political neutrality and align its operations with Armenia’s tax code, with guarantees that taxes paid would be fully returned to the church.

He also proposed social protections for clergy, including access to pension, tax-refund and healthcare systems.

Under the roadmap, elections for a new Catholicos would be held once the revised charter is approved by the competent ecclesiastical body. Pashinyan added that the government would provide advisory support if requested.