Abolishing Church Ownership of Government Lands in Armenia: Escalating Confrontation Between the Prime Minister and the Apostolic Church
The Armenian government has approved, without discussion, a new law preventing the Armenian Apostolic Church from obtaining ownership of lands belonging to municipalities.
The law, which was included in a package of non-discussable issues circulated via the Armenian government’s website, specifies that state-owned or municipal lands granted to the Armenian Apostolic Church will be obtained under the framework of “free use” only. The bill will be submitted to parliament for approval according to standard legislative procedures.
It is noteworthy that in the same session, the government approved another bill to terminate the activity of the “Shoghakat” television channel, which is affiliated with the Church.
The relationship between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the religious institution is witnessing escalating tension. Pashinyan has initiated an almost public campaign aimed at removing Patriarch Karekin II from his position as head of the Armenian Apostolic Church—who is elected for life according to ecclesiastical law—after the main Catholicosate of “Etchmiadzin” demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation in 2020.
The source indicated that the tension between the Prime Minister and the religious institution has intensified in recent months.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
An independent media platform providing reliable news and objective analysis, seeking to promote peace and cultural dialogue around the world, to convey the truth and build bridges of understanding between peoples.
For more news, you can visit our homepage:
