Window Quarterly
Vol. 2, No. 2, 1991
Copyright 1991

[Permission is granted to use, print, reproduce this article 
provided the following acknowledgment is given:  From 
Window Quarterly 2, 2 (1991);  ACRAG c. 1991. 

***

The Armenian Church: Glasnost Without Peristroka?
[editorial on the occasion of International Conference of 
Armenian Clergy]

by Hratch Tchilingirian

For the first time in the history of the Armenian Church in 
the diaspora, an international Conference of Armenian 
Clergy was held in New York from July 17-21, 1991.

The International Conference was a major event in the 
contemporary life of the Armenian Church.  Its significance 
centers on the fact that the Armenian Church in the Diaspora, 
for the first time after the Genocide, came together to discuss 
current issues facing the Church and specifically, to turn its 
attention on the events transpiring in Armenia.   
Representatives from all the Hierarchical Sees (except the 
See of Cilicia) and Armenian Churches from around the 
world came together to join forces. Obviously, the 
Conference provided the clergy of the diaspora an 
opportunity to acquaint themselves with each other and lay 
the groundwork for future cooperation.  While the practical 
results of the Conference are yet to be seen, we can make the 
following observations regarding the Conference:

+Throughout the Conference, the single most concerning 
issue was the situation of the Church in Armenia. Internally 
and externally, the Church is living in very crucial times. 
Internally--as it was pointed out during the Conference--the 
administrative infrastructure of the Church needs a serious 
reevaluation and restoration. It needs perestroika. The need 
for modernization is imperative.  While Armenia as a country 
is going through a democratization process, the Church 
seems to continue its status quo.  Externally, the Church is 
faced with the enormous task of fighting the new religious 
movements.  Besides the cults, the Roman Catholics and the 
Protestants have also created confusion among the people of 
Armenia. The credibility of the Armenian Church is at stake.

+The demographic distribution of the participants attests to 
the fact that the Armenian Church in the Diaspora could 
potentially become a viable force in itself, if it could bring its 
energies and resources together,  as it did at the Conference.  
Nevertheless, it is also true that the Church in the Diaspora 
could not act on fundamental issues--whether pertaining to 
Armenia or the Diaspora--without the consensus of the 
Catholicos.   As far as assisting the Church in Armenia, there 
has not been any organized effort by the churches in the 
Diaspora to help the Mother See--except the efforts of the 
Eastern and Canadian Dioceses.   Obviously, this is partly 
due to the fact that the churches in the diaspora are hardly 
meeting their own needs.  For example, in Argentina, other 
than the Primate, there is not a single priest to tend to the 
needs of the community.

+The Conference made it very clear that the Armenian 
Church and all clergy have a tremendous task ahead of them.  
The challenge is enormous,  resources are limited,  personnel 
is scarce, and time is short.  However, the Conference took a 
practical approach to the issues, and appointed sub-
committees who worked on specific problems.
	
The Conference was a vivid example of the openness 
(glastnost)) that has taken place in the Armenian Church. 
The Independence Movement in Armenia has not only 
enhanced this process, but has necessitated it.  Nevertheless, 
a reconstruction (perestroika)  with tangible results has not 
yet started in the Armenian Church.  By now--whether we 
understand politics or not--we all know that glasnost without 
perestroika is not enough. Gorbachev and the explosive 
situation that he has created is proof of that.   At the 
Conference, the diaspora clergy were somewhat surprised at 
the sincere and candid remarks of the delegation from 
Armenia.  Indeed, this was a very encouraging phenomenon.  
It was glasnost  in practice. However, we do not see any 
glimpse of perestroika  in the near future of the Armenian 
Church.  It is hoped that the practical actions of the 
Conference will be the beginning of a new reconstruction, in 
light of the new challenges and the renewed mission of the 
Church.

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