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APOSTOLIC CHURCH HELD HOSTAGE - II
Vosgan Mekhtarian, Los Angeles, 20 October 2013
continued from "Apostolic Church Held Hostage - I"
Let us consider, for a moment, the letter of protest by the Patriarch
of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian-addressed
to his Holiness Karekin II-and its impact on the psyche of the clergy.
According to historical accounts, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem was established almost at the same time as the Mother See
Holy Etchmiadzin. The Patriarchate had its own special position as
ecclesiastical/spiritual centre in the Hierarchy of the Armenian
Church. In an environment, frequently hostile to Armenians, it was
able to retain its preeminent position among all other Christian
denominations, and because of the politically favorable conditions,
was able to become a fortress of enlightenment where our Church
traditions were kept safe.
However, under new political conditions, the Armenian Patriarchate
of Jerusalem is struggling to keep its own traditions, independence
and identity, and is ill-prepared to guide new generations of priests.
Today, as a nation, we live under tragic conditions. Our laissez-faire
approach to addressing issues and solving problems within our
communities puts us face-to-face with very serious dangers such as
dysfunction, corruption, and ultimately, the loss of identity.
Unfortunately, however, we have no grasp of these dangers. The
theatrical performance of our clergy has found more ground in our
hearts than in understanding of the laws, which are the foundations
of a healthy Church.
Let us examine and understand these laws.
1. The law of the jungle--a place where there are no principles,
other than "might makes right".
2. The law of nature-- inherent balance and regularity between all
living entities in nature.
3. The law of the mob-- where the accused is judged by the mob and
not in a court of law, and is summarily sentenced to death.
4. The constitution-- the law that governs the relationship between
the government and its citizens.
5. International laws-- those that govern the relationships between
countries and define their duties to each other.
6. Civil law-- body of laws which sanction the supreme authority of
the state.
7. Criminal laws- those enacted to preserve the public order by
defining offenses against the state and public, and imposing penal
sanctions.
Furthermore, there is another incomprehensible and unacceptable
condition in life whereby man impugns all laws and creates his own
scheme of rationalizations to impose his will upon all others.
Having looked at the various types of laws that govern the human
condition, how should one regard the relationship between the Holy
See of Etchmiadzin and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem? We maintain
the public be the judge.
Before analyzing Nourhan Patriarch's letter of protest, it is important
to pay attention to the sentiments and discontent of our readers, i.e.,
the relationship of the two patriarchates (Jerusalem and Istanbul)
is in discord. During the last Jerusalem patriarchal elections,
Catholicos Kareken II attempted to interfere and manipulate the
situation but was thwarted.
Furthermore, while late Torkom Patriarch was the locum tenet in
Etchmiadzin, he attested to the corruption of the Nersisyan clan and
was courageous enough to express his opinions and make recommendations,
which were not cordially received by Archbishop Karekin Nersisyan
and his group.
Let's return to the protest letter dated August 3, 2013, and analyze
the impetus for Nourhan Patriarch to officially pen and submit such
a letter.
Foremost, the letter was written in a brotherly spirit, a letter
addressed to his big brother, Catholicos Karekin the II.
Second was the final decision of the Supreme Religious Council to
accept Archbishop Norvan's resignation from his post as Primate of
France. The non-elected and irresponsible members of the Religious
Council, did not have the courage and integrity to question His
Holiness Karekin the II and, under duress, took the degrading decision
of accepting the resignation of Archbishop Norvan. What would have
they thought if, instead of Archbishop Norvan, one of them had his
integrity questioned by their spineless "brothers" making such a
heartless decision? They would probably have cursed the day they
joined the ranks of the clergy.
It is understandable and only just that a brother should be able to
advise his older brother to be lenient and considerate to another
brother, even though there are some misunderstandings, and that the
latter deserves punishment commensurate to his transgression. But
in a situation like this, where there is injustice perpetrated,
it is unconscionable to stand by and let a brother be sacrificed and
become the target of vengeance. After mentioning in his letter that the
decision was "unacceptable and unjust", Patriarch Nourhan suggests that
his Holiness should act with forgiveness towards his younger brothers.
"Two years ago you tried to convince Torkom Patriarch to elect
Coadjutor and when Archbishop Aris Shirvanian objected saying that
there is no such Article in the Jerusalem Patriarchal constitution,
you were furious and declared 'I will defrock all of you', and
furthermore you repeated the same to me and my answer was 'Is this
how you will threaten every one? Don't you know anything else'?" It
is very likely that this threat has seriously affected all the
members of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Indeed it is very sad,
but it reflects a reality, a reality that is unlawful, unjust and
non-Christian, and unfortunately this kind of behavior is practiced
in both Catholicosates--Etchmiadzin and Antelias.
The last piece of advice given by Nourhan Patriarch, where he says "it
is impossible to bring up and prepare a healthy-minded new generation
of clergy under pressure and dictatorship", is a sad commentary on the
state of affairs in the Church, which is not only widely expressed in
the newspapers, but is also by members of the clergy, who are currently
suffocated and muzzled under the dictatorship of the Catholicos.
The bishops who participated in the conference, especially those who
grew up in the Jerusalem Patriarchate, knew all these facts, but did
not have the courage to bring up this subject for discussion at the
Bishops' Conference. What will the young generation of clergy think?
One can only shudder about the impact of that letter on the psyche
of the clergy.
Some people adhere to the belief that such subjects should not be
discussed openly. We disagree completely. It is time to address all
issues openly and publicly, if we are to believe that the Armenian
Church should be governed democratically-of, by, and for the people.
The Armenian Church is becoming a dictatorial institution, ignoring all
democratic laws and canons. Even though there is a small contingent
of humble clergy who oppose these unjust practices, they do not have
the power to voice their opinions, and regrettably, are relegated to
self-imposed isolation.
Do we have to constantly reiterate this one indisputable truth: the
Armenian Church is the sole force that led our nation throughout the
troubled years when we lost our political independence. The Armenian
Church molded the spiritual character of our nation and kept our
identity intact to parallel the exercise of our political powers.
Although it is a sad reality of our times, we should, nevertheless,
declare openly that some leaders are hesitant to uphold our religious
constitution and criticize the lifestyles of corrupted clergy and
admonish them to stay within the boundaries of their vows.
The ultimate authority in the Armenian Church is the Catholicos, who
is obliged to uphold the constitution down to its every detail. The
absence of such a practice is an insult to democracy and the sacred
rights of the Armenian people.
(to be continued)
http://www.keghart.com/Mekhitarian-Hostage-II
Vosgan Mekhtarian, Los Angeles, 20 October 2013
continued from "Apostolic Church Held Hostage - I"
Let us consider, for a moment, the letter of protest by the Patriarch
of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian-addressed
to his Holiness Karekin II-and its impact on the psyche of the clergy.
According to historical accounts, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem was established almost at the same time as the Mother See
Holy Etchmiadzin. The Patriarchate had its own special position as
ecclesiastical/spiritual centre in the Hierarchy of the Armenian
Church. In an environment, frequently hostile to Armenians, it was
able to retain its preeminent position among all other Christian
denominations, and because of the politically favorable conditions,
was able to become a fortress of enlightenment where our Church
traditions were kept safe.
However, under new political conditions, the Armenian Patriarchate
of Jerusalem is struggling to keep its own traditions, independence
and identity, and is ill-prepared to guide new generations of priests.
Today, as a nation, we live under tragic conditions. Our laissez-faire
approach to addressing issues and solving problems within our
communities puts us face-to-face with very serious dangers such as
dysfunction, corruption, and ultimately, the loss of identity.
Unfortunately, however, we have no grasp of these dangers. The
theatrical performance of our clergy has found more ground in our
hearts than in understanding of the laws, which are the foundations
of a healthy Church.
Let us examine and understand these laws.
1. The law of the jungle--a place where there are no principles,
other than "might makes right".
2. The law of nature-- inherent balance and regularity between all
living entities in nature.
3. The law of the mob-- where the accused is judged by the mob and
not in a court of law, and is summarily sentenced to death.
4. The constitution-- the law that governs the relationship between
the government and its citizens.
5. International laws-- those that govern the relationships between
countries and define their duties to each other.
6. Civil law-- body of laws which sanction the supreme authority of
the state.
7. Criminal laws- those enacted to preserve the public order by
defining offenses against the state and public, and imposing penal
sanctions.
Furthermore, there is another incomprehensible and unacceptable
condition in life whereby man impugns all laws and creates his own
scheme of rationalizations to impose his will upon all others.
Having looked at the various types of laws that govern the human
condition, how should one regard the relationship between the Holy
See of Etchmiadzin and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem? We maintain
the public be the judge.
Before analyzing Nourhan Patriarch's letter of protest, it is important
to pay attention to the sentiments and discontent of our readers, i.e.,
the relationship of the two patriarchates (Jerusalem and Istanbul)
is in discord. During the last Jerusalem patriarchal elections,
Catholicos Kareken II attempted to interfere and manipulate the
situation but was thwarted.
Furthermore, while late Torkom Patriarch was the locum tenet in
Etchmiadzin, he attested to the corruption of the Nersisyan clan and
was courageous enough to express his opinions and make recommendations,
which were not cordially received by Archbishop Karekin Nersisyan
and his group.
Let's return to the protest letter dated August 3, 2013, and analyze
the impetus for Nourhan Patriarch to officially pen and submit such
a letter.
Foremost, the letter was written in a brotherly spirit, a letter
addressed to his big brother, Catholicos Karekin the II.
Second was the final decision of the Supreme Religious Council to
accept Archbishop Norvan's resignation from his post as Primate of
France. The non-elected and irresponsible members of the Religious
Council, did not have the courage and integrity to question His
Holiness Karekin the II and, under duress, took the degrading decision
of accepting the resignation of Archbishop Norvan. What would have
they thought if, instead of Archbishop Norvan, one of them had his
integrity questioned by their spineless "brothers" making such a
heartless decision? They would probably have cursed the day they
joined the ranks of the clergy.
It is understandable and only just that a brother should be able to
advise his older brother to be lenient and considerate to another
brother, even though there are some misunderstandings, and that the
latter deserves punishment commensurate to his transgression. But
in a situation like this, where there is injustice perpetrated,
it is unconscionable to stand by and let a brother be sacrificed and
become the target of vengeance. After mentioning in his letter that the
decision was "unacceptable and unjust", Patriarch Nourhan suggests that
his Holiness should act with forgiveness towards his younger brothers.
"Two years ago you tried to convince Torkom Patriarch to elect
Coadjutor and when Archbishop Aris Shirvanian objected saying that
there is no such Article in the Jerusalem Patriarchal constitution,
you were furious and declared 'I will defrock all of you', and
furthermore you repeated the same to me and my answer was 'Is this
how you will threaten every one? Don't you know anything else'?" It
is very likely that this threat has seriously affected all the
members of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Indeed it is very sad,
but it reflects a reality, a reality that is unlawful, unjust and
non-Christian, and unfortunately this kind of behavior is practiced
in both Catholicosates--Etchmiadzin and Antelias.
The last piece of advice given by Nourhan Patriarch, where he says "it
is impossible to bring up and prepare a healthy-minded new generation
of clergy under pressure and dictatorship", is a sad commentary on the
state of affairs in the Church, which is not only widely expressed in
the newspapers, but is also by members of the clergy, who are currently
suffocated and muzzled under the dictatorship of the Catholicos.
The bishops who participated in the conference, especially those who
grew up in the Jerusalem Patriarchate, knew all these facts, but did
not have the courage to bring up this subject for discussion at the
Bishops' Conference. What will the young generation of clergy think?
One can only shudder about the impact of that letter on the psyche
of the clergy.
Some people adhere to the belief that such subjects should not be
discussed openly. We disagree completely. It is time to address all
issues openly and publicly, if we are to believe that the Armenian
Church should be governed democratically-of, by, and for the people.
The Armenian Church is becoming a dictatorial institution, ignoring all
democratic laws and canons. Even though there is a small contingent
of humble clergy who oppose these unjust practices, they do not have
the power to voice their opinions, and regrettably, are relegated to
self-imposed isolation.
Do we have to constantly reiterate this one indisputable truth: the
Armenian Church is the sole force that led our nation throughout the
troubled years when we lost our political independence. The Armenian
Church molded the spiritual character of our nation and kept our
identity intact to parallel the exercise of our political powers.
Although it is a sad reality of our times, we should, nevertheless,
declare openly that some leaders are hesitant to uphold our religious
constitution and criticize the lifestyles of corrupted clergy and
admonish them to stay within the boundaries of their vows.
The ultimate authority in the Armenian Church is the Catholicos, who
is obliged to uphold the constitution down to its every detail. The
absence of such a practice is an insult to democracy and the sacred
rights of the Armenian people.
(to be continued)
http://www.keghart.com/Mekhitarian-Hostage-II