Bishop Mashalyan asks Catholicos Garegin II to interfere in removing Ateshyan from post
Archbishop Aram Ateshyan wants to remain in the post of Patriarchal Vicar of the Istanbul Patriarchate through the state’s power, Bishop Sahak Mashalyan, president of the spiritual assembly of the patriarchate told Istanbul’s Zhamanak daily. Mashalyan has been appointed as locum tenens Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan’s Vicar.
“Locum tenens Bekchyan made important announcements from Germany. After this stage Ateshyan will either stand next to the Church or the state, he must already decide. It seems he wants to remain in his positions through the power of the state. In terms of how long the church laws will let him do that will be discussed,” Mashalyan said.
He said after the patriarchal locum tenens election two letters were sent to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatsin. One of the letters addressed to Catholicos Garegin II was signed by Trdat Uzunyan, secretary of the election day.
The letter says Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan has been elected as patriarchal locum tenens as result of the election. The other letter addressed to the Catholicos was written by Mashalyan.
He had said the assistance and support of the Catholicos is needed for ensuring the work of Archbishop Garegin in the current transitional stage. “Unfortunately, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, opposing the traditions of our Church and your proposal, is displaying persistence in not leaving the post of Vicar, which is the reason of commotion within the Church and society.
Your intervention will help in order for this whirlwind position to stop operating, and peace to be established within the Armenian community of Istanbul,” Mashalyan said in the letter.
