The service of the clergy appointed by the Armenian Apostolic Church in the army, the regimental officers, is terminated. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan posted the order on his social network page.
From the document published by Papikyan, we understand that from now on the soldiers will act under the coordination of the Morale and Psychological Department of the General Staff.
Two weeks ago, Reverend Aharon Melkumyan, the spiritual pastor of Goris, told “Azatutyun” that the commanders of the army corps are urging the soldiers to join Pashinyan’s anti-Catholic campaign. To date, no clergyman serving in the army has announced that he joins the Prime Minister’s church reform agenda.
Opponents assume that Papikyan’s order is part of an anti-Catholic campaign. The defense minister himself assured weeks ago that the army is not involved in this issue.