Former ombudsman says Artsakh Diocese leader remains on 'thorny path'

Former Artsakh Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan on Tuesday criticized the situation surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church as “unconstitutional, uncanonical, immoral and anti-national”. He stressed that disputes involving the church should be resolved internally and through transparent processes.

Speaking to reporters at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Beglaryan said he has publicly opposed the Armenian leadership’s attacks on the church and the actions of Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, head of the Artsakh Diocese.

Beglaryan noted that there has been no response to a call by Artsakh Armenians for Catholicos Karekin II to appoint a new diocesan leader. He expressed hope that the Catholicos would take appropriate action while ensuring a clear and institutional process to address concerns within the church, so that the issue would not be politicized.

He said he has not been in contact with Bishop Abrahamyan. While he initially hoped the cleric would reconsider his position, Beglaryan said that subsequent statements and actions have led him to conclude otherwise.

“I initially hoped that Bishop Vrtanes would repent and change his position, but after his subsequent statements and actions, I am convinced that he remains on a thorny path,” Beglaryan said.