BY VICKEN DARAKDJIAN There comes a moment when silence is no longer patience, and respect becomes cowardice. That mo- ment has long passed. Those, whether in Armenia or in diaspora, who continue to praise and glorify the Catholics of all Armenians, Karekin II Nersisyan must finally confront an uncomfortable truth: what they are defending is not faith, not the Armenian Church, and certainly not moral leadership, but a deeply compro- mised individual who has turned a sacred institution into a personal entity. A stain from the first day; his election took place on the day (October 27, 1999) and at the very hour Armenia was plunged into darkness, the assassination of our Prime Minister (Sparabed Vazgen Sargsyan) and seven other members of Parliament. While the nation mourned and bled, power was quietly consolidated behind closed doors. Allegations of a fixed election and multimillion-dollar financial promises have never been convincingly denied, but have been buried under silence and intimidation. A clergyman without clerical morality; the Ar- menian Apostolic Church is not ambiguous about its standards. A Catholicos is expected to live a life of celibacy and spiritual discipline. Yet it is widely known, and never honestly addressed, that he has a daughter, whose name is Khatoun. This is not gossip; it is a direct violation of the vows that define clerical life. Any bishop guilty of such conduct would be de- frocked without hesitation. Yet the highest- ranking clergyman is shielded. This is not mercy, it is cor- ruption. If he possessed even a trace of humility, he would resign quietly and allow the church to heal. Nepotism dressed up as Leadership. Under his rule, the Armenian Church has become a family busi- ness. Brothers, relatives, and villagers occupy some of the most powerful dioceses and administrative posts across the world, Moscow, England, and the central chancellery itself. Dozens of priests and reverends are tied to the same narrow circle. • In 2004, he replaced Archbishop Diran Geureghyan, primate of Russia and new Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with his blood brother, Archbishop Yezras Nersissyan. His nephew, Bishop Mhrtich Proshyan, was ap- pointed Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn in Armenia. As of October 2025, Bishop Proshyan has been detained in connection with allegations of wrongdoing. He also appointed Archbishop Arshag Khatchad- eryan as the head of the chancellor “Tivanabed” of the Church, again, someone originating from his own village. Archbishop Khatchaderyan has been in pretrial detention for two months, facing charges related to an alleged drug-planting case dating back seven years. He further appointed Archbishop Hovagim Manougian as primate of the Diocese of England, who, like the others, also originates from his village. This level of nepotism is deeply troubling. From the Catholicos’s own village alone, there are 3 archbishops and 2 bishops holding high-ranking positions within the church, in addition to around 20 priests and 10 reverends. Such disproportionate representation raises serious questions about merit, fairness, and abuse of authority within the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Meanwhile, respected clergy are defrocked, dismissed, humiliated and eventually resigned, more than 230 of them, often without explanation, transparency, or due process. One of many examples is in the France case, in 2013, following a personal dispute between the Catholicos and prominent clergy, Archbishop Norayr Zakarian, over the handling of a priest accused of corruption, administrative issues and alleged “heavy-handed tactics.” Finally, when the Catholicos publicly humiliated the archbishop, Archbishop Zakarian submitted his resignation. The resignation caused significant debate within the French Armenian community, where he was highly regarded. Another serious case arose just recently in early January 2026, when the Catholicos defrocked Bishop Gevorg Saroyan for supporting the Armenian Prime Minister, Mr. Pashinyan, and appointed a replacement Bishop as Primate of Masyatsotn Diocese, Masis city, in Armenia. This decision sparked significant tension and deep divisions within the local community. Instead of fostering unity and spiritual leadership, the appointment led to open conflict among parishioners, escalating to the point where law-enforcement authorities had to intervene. When internal church decisions result in police involvement and social unrest, it raises legitimate questions about leadership judgment, transparency, and the true mission of the Church Entire dioceses have been thrown in no national call to repentance, no unifying spiritual leadership, only an echoing, shameful silence. The silence was most evident on March 1, people were holding peaceful protests, when the government opened fire and killed many innocent citizens during peaceful protests. Even then, he made no statement, offering no call for calm or unity, and provided no moral guidance to his people. A church that does not speak when its people are beaten and murdered has aban- doned its mission. He has no spiritual leadership; he takes orders from political power. Where is the Church’s moral authority? Has shame itself disappeared? Once again, he remained silent in the face of serious allegations involving senior Church leadership (when he got caught having sex with his uncle’s wife). No action was taken regarding Archbishop Arshag Khachaderyan (Tivanabed) despite grave accusations of moral misconduct that became public and caused widespread scandal. The failure to defrock or discipline him raises unavoidable questions: Why was no action taken? Why the double standard? Where is the Church’s moral authority? Has shame itself disappeared? Accountability stops at the inner circle. This is not spiritual leadership. This is institutional rot. Political Games and Selective Courage Despite claiming to stand out of politics, the Catholicos has repeatedly intervened when Church privilege was threatened, calling for the resignation of an elected Prime Minister, opposing sales tax reforms, and mobilizing clergy once financial immunity and diplomatic perks were challenged. He did not stand against corruption when it was deeply entrenched in the sys- tem. Instead, he stood against the Pashinyan government only when reforms began, reforms aimed at dismantling that very corruption. His opposition emerged not out of moral conviction, but when he felt his power and influence were under threat. The Catholicos Karekin II even ordered and encouraged several of his high- ranking lieutenants, including Archbishop Mikael Achabahyan and the well-known Archbishop Bagrad Galestyan, to organize armed opposition against the democrati- cally elected government. This government is both popular and widely respected by the people. Thankfully, both archbishops are now behind bars and, hopefully, will remain there for a long time. Instead of supporting the legitimate government, the Catholicos was reportedly calling for rebellion. Such actions raise serious questions about his adherence to Christian teaching of love, peace, and harmony. How can anyone follow a religious leader whose guidance appears to contradict the very principles of faith? As noted at the beginning of this article, his election was closely tied to political power, and he owes his position to those interests. Could these connections explain why he acted in ways that undermine moral authority rather than uphold it? If this is not a sign of immorality, what is? A Question That Can No Longer Be Avoided Those who continue to defend this so-called spiritual leader are either painfully naïve or deliberately complicit. One cannot claim to love the Armenian Church while excusing behaviour that would disgrace any ordinary priest. Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianity. That legacy demands courage, not blind loyalty. No matter how ancient, grants immunity from moral failure. How long will we tolerate a leadership that shames the very faith it claims to protect? History will not be kind to silence. And it will be even harsher to those who chose comfort over truth. Do not cheat yourself. Do not hide in the shadows. Rise and stand up, speak the truth. So what is wrong with saying it is time to elect a new Catholicos of all Armenias, and finally put the past behind us! Respectfully, Vicken Darakdjian