OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE CLERGY AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA

We, the clergy serving in the Western Diocese, want to bring to the attention of our faithful and all members of the community, that recently we have witnessed a series of unacceptable and contemptible attacks, privately funded, directed at the good name and character of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and our own Primate of the Western Diocese of North America.

It is clear that these baseless attacks, which are entirely fictitious, are without any merit. Furthermore, they are being fabricated by vicious slanderers who, referring to themselves as “nationalists,” have no affiliation with the Church or the Christian faith. We know well that those who would seek to compromise the reputation of our Pontiff and Diocesan Primate are being motivated by personal interest and profit.

We wish to ensure the faithful, that the entirety of the clergy of the Western Diocese, along with the Diocesan Council, gathered in joint defense of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Diocesan Primate, in one unified voice and with no reservation, boldly condemn any baseless slander directed at the person of the Pontiff or the Primate.

We call upon all those Armenian organizations, found within the area of the Western Diocese, whether they be national, political, spiritual, cultural, or charitable, to officially proclaim their condemnation of the incendiary statements of these provocateurs. If we genuinely desire to be “children of light,” we must direct our attention to light and truth, condemning the dark and the prince of darkness. In his First Epistle, St. Peter cautions, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

All clergy of the Western Diocese, the Diocesan Council, and all Diocesan organizations stand in united support of our Diocesan Primate and any future legal steps that may be taken. We offer our prayers to God that by shattering evil and evil influence, love and harmony reign supreme in our community life.

 Prayerfully,

Clergy of the Western Diocese

Diocesan Council

January 11, 2019, Burbank, CA, USA