WHY ARE THE CATHOLICOSES SILENT?
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10:12:16 – 22/09/2009
The Holy Armenian Apostolic Church has had and continues to have
an immense role in the life of the Armenian people. Our Church is
not only a House of God for us, but also one of the main means of
organising ourselves nationally. The "exclusive … mission" of the
Holy Armenian Apostolic Church is even mentioned in the Constitution
of the Republic of Armenia (Article 8.1).
In these turbulent years of independence, the Armenian Church has
never been a spectator on the side. Especially in these last few years,
high-ranking servants of the Armenian Church have had an active role in
the social, and even in the political life of the Armenian people. As
citizens of the Republic of Armenia, many of them have participated
without hesitation in many electoral campaigns, directing public
opinion and votes.
There are two extremely important documents on the table today:
the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations between
the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey and on the
development of relations between the Republic of Armenia and the
Republic of Turkey. Alongside these, the past, present and future of
the Armenian people are also at stake. One may have various opinions
on these protocols, but it is impossible not to perceive their fateful
significance. It is impossible not to perceive, and it is unacceptable
to stay silent about it.
We, the children of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in Armenia and
in the Diaspora, have the need and the right to hear the thoughts
loud and clear of our two Vehapar Patriarchs on these protocols. One
cannot dismiss the importance of this occasion. It is impossible not
to see it, and it is unacceptable to stay silent about it.
With filial love,
Ara Papian Head of the Modus Vivendi Centre 21 September, 2009