Artsakh civil society representatives  urge Catholicos of All  Armenians to replace Primate of Artsakh Diocese 

ArmInfo.  Representatives of Artsakh civil society have addressed an open  letter to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II regarding the  behavior of the current head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian  Apostolic Church (AAC), Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, who has joined the  anti-church campaign of the current Armenian authorities. They are  requesting to consider the issue of replacing the Primate of the  diocese. 

The letter states, in part: "We, the people of Artsakh, have  unwittingly come face to face with a painful reality and appeal to  Your Holiness, expressing our deep disappointment and anger over the  recent steps and public behavior of the current head of the Artsakh  Diocese, Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan. It was extremely disturbing and  inexpressibly offensive for all of us to see how Bishop Vrtanes  Abrahamyan, violating the laws of our Holy Church, effectively  rebelled against the nationally elected and anointed Patriarch of All  Armenians, who has always placed and continues to place the issues of  the Artsakh peace and the Armenians of Artsakh at the center of his  attention, putting forward crucial initiatives to protect our rights,  including at high international forums.

It is also unacceptable for us that Bishop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, who is  called to protect the holy places and the faithful entrusted to him,  is taking countermeasures against this calling. In particular, he  honors and respects the person primarily responsible for the  political  decision to hand over Artsakh, with its monasteries,  churches, crosstones, cemeteries, and holy sites, to the enemy,  effectively joining their blasphemous anti-church campaign."

The statement notes that this step, both in its content and in the  manner of its implementation, was perceived by t only as a bow to the  current Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, but also as a  direct justification for the latter's actions. It is noted that these  actions, of course, provoked the righteous anger of people of Artsakh  and a loss of trust in this spiritual leader.

"It is particularly regrettable that, in response to numerous appeals  from our faithful people, he not only has failed to repent and  apologize to the Armenians of Artsakh, but has even avoided meetings  with his compatriots and flock, not answered phone calls, and openly  displayed disrespect for the community entrusted to him.

Based on the above, we ask you to discuss the issue of replacing the  head of the Artsakh Diocese, as the current head has completely lost  the trust of the faithful people of Artsakh, and due to the path he  has chosen, he no longer has the moral grounds to continue leading  the devoted Artsakh Diocese.  We ask Your Holiness to respond to the  request of your spiritual children of Artsakh and to hear our voice  as an expression of the true feelings of the faithful people," the  statement reads.

The statement was signed by: Roman Yeritsyan, human rights activist  and lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, second Human Rights Defender of Artsakh,  Artak Beglaryan,  third Human Rights Defender of Artsakh,  Gegham  Stepanyan, Acting Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, and  Nare  Simonyan, public figure.

As well as non-governmental organizations: "Council of Elders of  Artsakh"  NGO, Vasn Hayrenyats NGO, "Union of Artsakh"NGO,  "Artsakh  Oyama Kyokushin Karate Federation" NGO,   "Artsakh Culture and  Tourism Development Agency" NGO;  "Revival of Artsakh" NGO,  "Justice  and Return" NGO, Avetis Puluzyan Charitable NGO, "Power of Mind" NGO,   "In the Footsteps of Ancestors" NGO, "Equal Opportunities" NGO,   "Next to the Soldier of Artsakh" NGO,  "Center for the Preservation  of Artsakh Culture" NGO, "Motherhood" NGO;  "Return Kyokushin Karate  Club" NGO, "Today for Tomorrow" NGO, "Sports and Youth of Artsakh"  NGO,  "Development Center" NGO, "Artsakh Martial Arts Association"  NGO, "Artsakh Mixed Martial Arts Federation" NGO, and  "Artsakh Muay  Thai Federation" NGO.