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AZG Armenian Daily #053, 26/03/2005
Armenian Church
A SEPARATE LAW ON ARMENIAN CHURCH IN CONSTITUTION?
Parliamentary discussions over reforms of the Armenian Constitution
may result in placing the Armenian Apostolic Church in a privileged
position over all other confessions within the country. The Armenian
clergy itself put forward suggestions to emphasize the role of the
Armenian Church.
They particularly suggest to use wording "Armenian Apostolic Christian
Church with the Center of Etchmiadzin" thus setting it apart from
other denominations.
"This suggestion pursues a political aim too, as the Armenian Church is
actually divided in two and such a stress will set apart the Armenian
Apostolic Church which is ruled by the Catholicos", Rafik Petrosian,
head of the State and Legal Commission of the National Assembly, said.
The clergy also points out that the relations between the Church
and the state has to be regulated by a law. That means that ground is
prepared to pass a separate law on the Church in the Constitution. This
is important so far as there are lot of uncertain issues concerning
Church's and state's property.
It's very actual for us to upgrade Armenian Church's position today
in view of numerous religious sects. By the way, there is no official
definition as to what denomination should be considered a sect and
what should not. The new law will spread light on many vague issues.
By Karine Danielian
Armenian Church
A SEPARATE LAW ON ARMENIAN CHURCH IN CONSTITUTION?
Parliamentary discussions over reforms of the Armenian Constitution
may result in placing the Armenian Apostolic Church in a privileged
position over all other confessions within the country. The Armenian
clergy itself put forward suggestions to emphasize the role of the
Armenian Church.
They particularly suggest to use wording "Armenian Apostolic Christian
Church with the Center of Etchmiadzin" thus setting it apart from
other denominations.
"This suggestion pursues a political aim too, as the Armenian Church is
actually divided in two and such a stress will set apart the Armenian
Apostolic Church which is ruled by the Catholicos", Rafik Petrosian,
head of the State and Legal Commission of the National Assembly, said.
The clergy also points out that the relations between the Church
and the state has to be regulated by a law. That means that ground is
prepared to pass a separate law on the Church in the Constitution. This
is important so far as there are lot of uncertain issues concerning
Church's and state's property.
It's very actual for us to upgrade Armenian Church's position today
in view of numerous religious sects. By the way, there is no official
definition as to what denomination should be considered a sect and
what should not. The new law will spread light on many vague issues.
By Karine Danielian