Armenian government moves to reform Church amid constitutional disputes

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is advancing a government-backed initiative to reform the Armenian Apostolic Church, a move that legal experts and opposition leaders have condemned as unconstitutional. The government’s agenda, outlined in a report released by the Public Relations and Information Centre, alleges a “crisis” within the Church involving clerical misconduct, financial opacity, and foreign influence.

The proposed roadmap includes the removal of Catholicos Karekin II, the appointment of an interim leader, and the adoption of a new charter. To facilitate this, the Civil Contract party has moved to establish an 11-member parliamentary inquiry commission. While the ruling party approved the commission's composition, opposition factions “Strong Armenia” and “Armenia” have refused to participate, arguing that the National Assembly lacks authority over the Church’s canonical life and that the move violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

Tensions have escalated following the indictment of several bishops and the legal pressure placed on Karekin II. The Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed it is examining allegations from the government report for potential criminal conduct. Critics and human rights activists maintain that the government's claims lack factual evidence and represent a systematic attempt to seize control of the religious institution.