NA Deputy Speaker slams church figures over ‘dangerous rhetoric’

PanARMENIAN.Net - Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan addressed on his Facebook page recent and past statements by clergy, specifically Bishops Bagrat and Mikael.

“I hope Bishop Mikael won’t say: ‘What business is it of yours whether we call for a military coup or not,’” Rubinyan wrote.

He noted that Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan reiterated on air his recent claim that foreign powers had informed him that if Nikol Pashinyan were re-elected, Armenia would become a center for drug trafficking, money laundering, and distortion of family values. This time, Galstanyan added that foreign sources told him Armenia would turn into a “camp for color revolutions.”

Rubinyan continued: “If the bishop is telling the truth, then he is an agent of foreign influence. If that turns out to be the case, it is essential to determine which foreign powers are behind this and what connection His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, has with this situation. I hope he clarifies his stance on the possible recruitment of the archbishop.”

Rubinyan also recalled that about a year and a half ago, another bishop, Mikael Ajapahyan, stated that “a military coup is necessary, otherwise Armenia will become Ermenistan.”

“At the time, I didn’t take it seriously, thinking he was in a disturbed emotional state. After all, monastic life is hard. But in light of Archbishop Bagrat’s confession, a question arises—was Bishop Mikael also urged by foreign actors to make such calls? This must be investigated. I hope the bishop will clarify. And I also hope he doesn’t respond in his usual style: ‘What business is it of yours whether we call for a coup or not.’ Because it absolutely is our business,” Rubinyan added.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in response to clerical criticism following his comparison of churches to storerooms during a cabinet session, posted several Facebook messages containing offensive remarks toward clergy. His wife, Anna Hakobyan, also joined in with posts calling clergy “the country’s top pedophiles.” Pashinyan argued the state should play a central role in the selection of the Catholicos of All Armenians. In another post, he questioned whether Catholicos Karekin II has adhered to his vow of celibacy.

In his post, the Prime Minister stated: “If it turns out that Karekin II indeed broke his celibacy vow and has a child, he cannot remain the Catholicos of All Armenians, as he would no longer qualify as a celibate priest.”

The Mother See responded that “such condemnable actions serve the interests of anti-Armenian foreign forces, aligning to some extent with Azerbaijani propaganda aimed at slandering the Armenian people and the Church.”