The Armenian Apostolic Church does not engage in politics, political parties do, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II stated during a meeting with several journalists Tuesday.

“I will not allow any structure or authority to interfere in any way in the internal life of the Armenian Apostolic [Church] and try to subordinate the Church to its will. Therefore, our [i.e. the Catholicos means himself] and our clergy’s stance and position is very strong and clear.

All members of the parties are children of the Armenian [Apostolic] Church. I repeat that the [Armenian Apostolic] Church is not engaged in politics, but in relation to issues and problems of concern to our state and our people, which receive public resonance and can put our people in danger, the [Armenian Apostolic] Church has a primary obligation to speak out and express its position in defense of the interests of our people and homeland,” the Catholicos said.

He added that the international community considered the ongoing processes surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church an internal matter of Armenia and did not respond in any way, despite the fact that the Armenian Apostolic Church had sent relevant letters to various structures.

“At the same time, church structures, including the World Council of Churches and the Conference of European Churches, responded appropriately and expressed their support for our [Armenian Apostolic] Church,” the Catholicos noted.

Also, Karekin II highly appreciated the position of all the clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church and expressed gratitude to them, including Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, and Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Sahak II Mashalian.

“Our [Armenian Apostolic] Church is united,” the Catholicos concluded.