Armenia`s authorities resorting to pressure and disinformation in dealing with Church - AAC
ArmInfo.The meeting of bishops and leaders of dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church expresses regret that the current government in Armenia is solving problems in relations between the Church and the state using the tools of threats, pressure and disinformation, reads a statement adopted by the meeting on Thursday.
As noted in the message of the Office of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, the issues included in the agenda of the meeting were related to the challenges facing the Motherland, problems of concern to society, and the mission of the Church. In connection with the recent accusations against the AAC, the meeting adopted a statement noting that against the backdrop of public discontent caused by unilateral concessions in the Tavush region under the guise of delimitation and demarcation of borders, government representatives, including the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia again began attacks on the AAC, throwing in false theories related to the historical mission of the Church and its activities at the present stage.
"Even more surprising are the naked accusations of allegedly non-payment of taxes by the Church, while official statistics record the fulfillment of tax obligations established by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia. It is especially reprehensible when the head of government groundlessly accuses the AAC of what it allegedly does, both in the past and in currently, is an "agent of influence." Representatives of the RA government must realize their responsibility to the people and the Motherland, think about the historical patriotic and national role of the Church, also enshrined in the RA Constitution, and reconsider the policies they have adopted. We pray that God will grant our Motherland. peace, and prosperity and security for our people," the AAC statement says.
On May 22, speaking in the country's parliament, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, against the backdrop of rallies of the "Tavush for the Motherland" movement, called the AAC "an agent of influence" since historical times. "The Armenian people had experience when the clergy went to Caesarea and were anointed, and when they came to Armenia, they became agents of influence," said the RA Prime Minister, adding that nothing has changed since then, and the issue can be resolved in 2-3 months.
The Armenian Apostolic Church is included in the list of 1000 taxpayers in Armenia. At the end of 2023, it paid out more than 435 million drams, taking 758th place in the list. And according to the results of the first quarter of 2024 - over 147 million drams, ranking in 488th place.