The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the inclusion of unacceptable provisions regarding the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the election platform of the ruling Civil Contract party, the Mother See noted in a statement Thursday.

“The inclusion in the party’s election platform of the mandatory agenda of Church reform, revision of the statute, removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and holding new Catholicosate elections is a clear violation of the constitutional order, the right of the Church to self-government, as well as the fundamental international principles of freedom of conscience and religion.

The entire anti-church essence and objective of the ruling political force's ideology is once again demonstrated by pre-election promises to continue its obviously illegal actions against the Church.

The thousand-year-old mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, its sacred traditions and spiritual life should not become the subject of political speculation. As the Mother See has repeatedly confirmed, the election of the Catholicos and any reforms in the church hierarchy are exclusively in the spiritual-canonical domain, and therefore are beyond the jurisdiction of political parties and state authorities.

The adopted law-breaking style of work is nationally damaging and absolutely unacceptable. It contradicts the interests of our people throughout the world, endangers the foundations of the national value system, and undermines spiritual security,” added the statement by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.