General Vicar of Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “The President knows about the problem concerning the patriarchal election. Thus, we won't apply to the governor's office.”
Surp
Pırgiç Armenian Hospital Foundation Chair Bedros Şirinoğlu, after
he came together with President Erdoğan, stated that “Erdoğan
will deal with the patriarchal election after the referendum.” This
statement caused an uncertainty concerning the election. Recently,
General Vicar of Patriarch Aram Ateşyan said, “The President knows
about the problem concerning the patriarchal election. Thus, we won't
apply to the governor's office.”
On
October 26, 2016, the Clerical Assembly decided to hold an election,
and after that, General Vicar of Patriarch Aram Ateşyan and Head of
the Clerical Assembly Bishop Sahak Maşalyan wrote a letter to send
to the governor's office. In order to deliver it to Governor Vasip
Şahin directly, the governor's office was expected to set a meeting.
For about 2 months, the governor's office hadn't taken any step and
on January 6, Archbishop Aram Ateşyan said that they will deliver
the letter to the governor's office, if they don't set a meeting.
After these developments, Surp Pırgiç Armenian Hospital Foundation
Chair Bedros Şirinoğlu came together with Erdoğan on January 18.
Erdoğan stated that he will deal with the election after the
referendum, causing an uncertainty concerning the application that
will be made to the governor's office. General Vicar of Patriarch
Aram Ateşyan stated that they won't make an application to the
governor's office. Speaking to Agos, Archbishop Ateşyan said:
“Bedros Şirinoğlu talked about this problem during his meeting
with President Erdoğan. Since the President knows about the problem
concerning the patriarchal election, we won't apply to the governor's
office.” Thus, the process of election is interrupted and postponed
to be dealt with after the referendum.
.jpg "Ateşyan finally steps down")
