Armenian authorities have agreed with bishops on church reforms and the resignation of the Catholicos

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement with ten clergy on reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). The statement calls for a public announcement of the reform program, the removal of the de facto head of the AAC, Catholicos Karekin II, the adoption of a new charter, and the election of a new Catholicos of All Armenians.

The opposition movement "Po-Nashemu," associated with the arrested Russian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, criticized Pashinyan's initiative, accusing him of confrontation with the Church.

The conflict between Armenia's leadership and the AAC escalated last year, leading to the arrests of clergy and protests demanding both their release and the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II. According to the Constitution, the Armenian Church is separate from the state and has a special mission.

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