His Holiness Karekin II clarifies statement on creation of a duplicate administrative diocesan structure in Canada
In order to clarify the position of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, provided herein is the English translation of the response by His Holiness Karekin II, to the 'Hayots Ashkhar' Armenian daily newspaper.
His Holiness Karekin II said, 'Aram I is free to make decisions for the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia. Naturally, however, there are questions and issues, particularly in those territories that are under the jurisdiction of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicosate of All Armenians, where only after the division of 1956 has the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia had a presence.
'I believe, in like circumstances, it is a must that more discreet and cautious approaches be manifested, so that the peace of our national life is not deteriorated.'
In light of what has recently occurred, the Catholicos further stated that he plans to 'redouble our efforts and negotiations between the Catholicosate of All Armenians and the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, so that we can lead to a solution those issues related to this incident of a duplicate new Canadian diocese'.
As it relates to the unexpected timing of the announcement, His Holiness Karekin II continues, 'We had previously discussed this issue with Aram I, and from the first moment we expressed our fatherly concerns with such an action. I must add that we had anticipated the Supreme Spiritual Council would convene in early January, and that body would have the opportunity to also present its position, and would offer its thoughts and reservations to Catholicos Aram I, prior to the decision and announcement regarding the establishment of a duplicate Canadian Diocese.'
'We believe that as it relates to the Canadian issue, we must be able to come to an overall understanding and similar occurrences in the life of our nation must be eliminated entirely.'
