BY APPO JABARIAN
In early May 2019, around the time when the 92nd Diocesan Assembly of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America was held in Palm Springs, CA, USA Armenian Life had accurately projected that Ms. Adrienne Krikorian, Esq. would emerge as the new Chair of the Diocesan Council succeeding then outgoing Chair Joseph Kanimian, Esq.
One of the key questions that was featured in the May 10, 2019 article was “If Ms. Krikorian does indeed take the helm at Diocesan Council, the supreme governing body of Western Diocese, will she clean up house or she’ll continue maintaining the modus operandi – ‘Speak NO evil; Hear NO evil; See No evil?’”
Under the past chairman of Diocesan Council Attorney Kanimian, Arch. Derderian committed a series of misdeeds. In many instances, he crossed the boundaries of his spiritual authority undermining the authority of Diocesan Council, its Chairman Kanimian and Vice-Chair Krikorian mandated by the Armenian Church By-Laws.
In late April 2019, Armenian Church Reform movement stated on the cover of The Armenian Church Reform Magazine volume 4: “Now is the time to hold Hovnan Derderian and Diocesan Council Chairman Hovsep Kanimian, Esq. accountable. The Church exists because of the people, not vice versa. The fact that Hovnan Derderian is corrupted is not a big debate. What’s urgently needed, the parishioners – like you and me – to continue to come forward and expose the abuses they commit to the Church they serve. Traditionally the Armenian Church has maintained a democratic structure where the primate solely serves as a spiritual leader, whereas the Diocesan Council Chairman receives mandates from the laypeople and the ultimate authority to oversee the proper management and accountability with transparency. Once you are baptized into the Armenian Church these become your democratic birthright. Let’s further develop the Church reform conversation as informed citizens with courage to speak out and lead the way. The time is now.”
Popular questions that deserve answers:
QUESTION: Does the movement SAVE WESTERN DIOCESE FROM ARCH. DERDERIAN have clear or coherent recommendations to improve the situation for the Church and community to move forward?
ANSWER: We must bring back the rule of law, uphold the by-laws of Western Diocese of Armenian Church North America and implement diocese and parish rules and regulations to ensure heightened transparency and accountability, specifically as they relate to Church finances and elections. We must hold the church hierarchy accountable; we must remind them that the Church exists because of the people, and not vice versa.
QUESTION: Are our Armenian communities who have fought so hard to exist (particularly since the Genocide) ready to stand up against corrupted leaders of a centuries-old Church, the one institution we have held above all others?
ANSWER: Our first step is to acknowledge that our beloved church has become entangled in corruption and abuse, the time for action is now. “Arch. Hovnan Derderian has to gracefully step down. Please join this movement. We value your privacy. Email: armenianchreform@gmail.com or call 310.773.7870. BY NOT SPEAKING UP YOU BECOME PART OF THE DECEPTION,” concludes a recent article by Armenian Church Reform movement in ACR Magazine.
Another key question was asked: “Will the new Diocesan Council and its presumed leader Adrienne Krikorian exercise true leadership and carry out their fiduciary duties as the governing body of the diocese ushering in a new era?
ANSWER: Time will tell.
While the above question has yet to be answered, a set of new questions have emerged.
New Question 1: Are the following leaders Chairman – Hon. Adrienne Krikorian, Esq. (St. Peter – Van Nuys, CA), Vice Chairman – Mr. Derik Ghookasian (St. Peter – Van Nuys, CA), Treasurer – Mr. Yuriy Akopyan (Holy Resurrection – Redmond, WA), Secretary – Ms. Sandra Kazanjian Gostanian (St. Paul – Fresno, CA) and members of the current Diocesan Council Very Rev. Fr. Sasoon Zumrookhdian (St. Geragos – Las Vegas, NV), Rev. Fr. Shnork Demirjian (St. Peter – Van Nuys, CA), Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash (St. John – San Francisco, CA), Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Berjekian (St. John – San Diego, CA), Mr. Ara Der Sarkissian (St. John – Hollywood, CA), Mr. Marty Dakessian, Esq. (St. Leon- Burbank, CA), Mrs. Pamela Abaci (St. Andrew – Cupertino, CA), Dr. Kris Mirzayan (St. Mary – C, CA), Mr. Rafi Hagopian (St. Apkar – Scottsdale, AZ), Mr. Vahe Skenderian (St. Gregory – Pasadena, CA) elected on their own merit or they were elected through backdoor maneuvering and indirect pressure on diocesan delegates applied by Hovnan Derderian in order to ‘serve’ as Derderian’s proxies?
New Question 2: Are the leaders and members of the current Diocesan Council aware of a myriad of problems that continue to negatively impact the diocese or they’re a part of these problems?
New Question 3: Is the current Diocesan Council in agreement with SAVE Western Diocese movement supporters that “Hovnan Derderian’s time has come to an end?” If yes, then what are they doing about it? If no, what are their justifications?
As USA Armenian Life goes to press tonight additional questions continue to be brought to the forefront of public awareness by concerned and loyal members and supporters of the Diocese.
These unanswered questions shall be addressed. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, the leaders and members of the current Diocesan Council would render a major service to the community if they looked in the mirror and answered the above questions with complete honesty.