PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

COMMUNIQUE

At its most recent meeting, on 5 April 2004, the Central Committee of the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia was profoundly disturbed to hear the
Statement made by the Supreme Spiritual Council on 2 April 2004. The
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has always preferred not to discuss issues
related to the Church and Nation publicly, but, rather, within the context
of the meetings and correspondence between the two Catholicoi and the two
executive bodies of the two Catholicosates. Our Catholicosate adopted this
approach in order not to expose our people to the confusion and
misunderstanding that may result from one-sided and biased statements made
in the Press. Therefore, we will not react directly to the Statement of 2
April. We would like simply to make a few corrections and to underscore a
few points:

1) Knowing that it could be a sensitive issue and attempting to prevent a
one-sided interpretation, the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has, on more
than one occasion, duly informed the Catholicosate of All Armenians in
Etchmiadzin, Armenia, that the reorganization due to take place in the
Canadian part of our “Prelacy of the Eastern United States and Canada”, was
aimed at changing the status of the Vice-prelate to Prelate. This was an act
of internal organizational rearrangement within an already existing
jurisdiction, not the creation of a new jurisdiction. In fact, making
internal organizational rearrangement within an already existing
jurisdiction is something, and creating a new jurisdiction is something
else. These are two completely different ecclesiological, jurisdictional and
administrative acts. This internal rearrangement was made by the decision of
the Prelacy’s Executive Councils of the USA and Canada, and was done for
practical reasons. To interpret this initiative differently is wrong. The
Statement made by our Prelacy in Montreal, Canada provides full information
concerning this matter.

2) The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has consistently expressed its
strong desire and commitment to seriously and comprehensively discuss with
the Catholicosate of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin, issues and concerns
pertaining to the Armenian Church in general and to the relations between
the two Catholicosates in particular. The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia
believes that we must not approach these issues, which come from the past
and touch the whole life of the Armenian Church, theoretically, but rather
practically, and that we must take into consideration the specific contexts,
local conditions and new realities of our communities in diaspora,
preserving always the inseparable unity of our Church and Nation. Our
approach remains unchanged.

3) The Catholicoi of our Holy See have considered the reformation and
renewal of the Armenian Church a top priority among other administrative and
jurisdictional concerns. We should continue to do this, no matter how
difficult it may be or how long it takes. We firmly believe that the
reformation of the Armenian Church and the renewal and revitalization of its
spiritual, moral and people-oriented mission is an urgent concern. We must
look beyond existing sensitivities and misunderstandings, and not allow them
to hinder the renewal of the Armenian Church. This process should include
the active participation of the four Hierarchical Sees of our Church.

The Central Committee of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia rejects the
approach and the spirit displayed in the Statement of the Supreme Spiritual
Council of Etchmiadzin. Antelias remains firmly committed to its mission of
faith and people-oriented service. It is with this spirit and with brotherly
love, that the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia appeals to the
Catholicosate of All Armenians to start together a process of reflection,
consultation and planing by which we will be able together to renew and
strengthen the Armenian Church, deepen the collaboration between Armenia and
Armenian Diaspora, and support our homeland.

SECRETARIAT
THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

5 April, 2004
Antelias, Lebanon.

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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.