Catholicos of Cilicia Aram I sent the following letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan:
Mr. Prime Minister,
By way of the press we were made aware of your government’s decision to return properties confiscated after 1936 from Turkey’s religious minorities. This decision is undoubtedly an effort to get ahead of the recent developments in the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the U.S. Congress’s inquiries into and proceedings on Turkey’s oppression of its Christian minorities.
As the spiritual and lawful leader of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, which was uprooted from its centuries-old Seat, and as a representative of the similarly uprooted children of the Armenian Church, who were exiled from Turkey and dispersed throughout the world, we consider your government’s Aug. 27, 2011 decision incomplete and unjust.
The Holy See of Cilicia remains the lawful proprietor of numerous churches, hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, cemeteries, and other properties that belong to the nation and the church, and which were seized by the Turkish state in the days of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The Armenian people continue to be the lawful owners of the houses, businesses, and estates—passed down from their ancestors—that became a victim to the genocide that was planned and executed by the Ottoman Turkish government.
Your government’s resolution may satisfy the requirements of the European Union. However, it may never be considered a decision based on principles of justice.
Mr. Prime Minister, although taken in the name of justice, your decision is biased and selective, and furthermore, it certainly denies history and rejects democratic principles and values. International institutions—for instance, the European Court of Human Rights, parliament, and parliamentary bodies—protect and implement democratic values and principles. Their conscience is the people.
As League of Nations representative and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen observed in his well-known 1928 book Armenia and the Near East, the Armenian people have never lost hope, bravely working and waiting. “They continue to wait,” he wrote. And we would like to add that the Armenian people will never cease to demand justice from Turkey for the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian people will never cease to demand the reinstatement of their human rights.
Mr. Prime Minister, your declaration that your government upholds justice and human rights will be validated only when you recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Catholicos Aram I
Holy See of Cilicia
Aug. 31, 2011
Antelias, Lebanon
A version of this letter was sent to the Turkish Embassy in Lebanon.
Outstanding!! This is an example of the type of leadership in the Armenian community that the church is in a unique position to provide. How appropriate that the leader of the Holy See , whose historic presence in Sis ended as a result of the Armenian Genocide, provides this statement to Erdogan. His Holiness makes an excellent point in that the Catholicosate is the rightful owner of properties destroyed or confiscated by the Turkish government. This is an example that all Armenian foundations should follow in pursuit of justice as it relates to this “return of properties” campaign.
It is refreshing to see our church institutions focusing their efforts on behalf of Armenian justice on the world stage. This has been a traditional role of the church that has been hampered for decades due to geopolitical realities. With that dynamic now changing, it is time for the church to resume that responsibility. It is time for all our institutions to be speak for their people.
Excellent letter. This is what is needed by Armenians, support of the nation by the churches. This has been missing for a long time. I hope to see more of it as time goes on.
Brilliant letter.This is what is required by our leadership,sadly this what is missing in Armenia today,be it in the political or religious circles,corruption is the order of the day in all spheres of government,criminal activity in the army and Police,injustice,and a foreign policy which is so weak.
An EXCELLENT letter indeed sireli Vehapar Aram Arachin! Your letter is resounding from our earlier times of Vehapar Megerdich Khrimian hayrig! I agree with both Stepan and Fredrick that all our leaders abroad and in Armenia must follow your just and manly letter! In short we should all come together for our just cause and start demanding our rights. It’s about time!!!!!
God bless Catholicos Aram I. I am moved by his letter and by the fact that the Cilician See is speaking out in its rightful leadership capacity. I hope this is the start of a new trend toward a more assertive role for our Church. Standing for justice and protecting the abused is an extension of Christ’s teaching to ‘love one another as I have loved you,’ and a Christian responsibility. It is overdue, but enthusiastically welcomed. God’s will be done.
President Obama should send a similar letter to Erdogan.
Getzes Vehapar!
Catholicos Aram 1st, should turn in a list of all the pre 1915 properties that the Cilicia Seat owned and need to be returned/compensated for.
I am waiting for the day when the governement of Armenia will submit our case to the International Justice Courts, the European courts etc, and officially demand from Turkey what is due to the Armenian people: Recognition of the Armenian Genocide, restoration, payment and return of lands.
Turkey should at the very least return the region of mount Ararat to us as a true gesture of remorse, justice and good will.
Catholicos Aram has bravely spoken out for his people. I wonder if The Catholicos of All Armenians in Etchmiadzin will issue a similar claim letter for the dioceses which he represents.
Where is Holy Etchmiadzin? It is time for all to be heard! The church must provide public as well as private leadership. Our people as well as the Turkish official need to hear.
Holy Etchmiadzin is sunk in corruption at all levels.
Yes, Indeed,” We will continue to wait until justice is served.” And this is the mesage we,Diaspora Armenians, should send to ,Turkish government, On every April 24th.
My hats off to Vehapar. This letter was long overdue. I finally got to witness a brave leader who sent a Turkish government official “IN YOUR FACE” letter reminding them that we are patiently waiting. Thank You,vehapar.
He should run for president.
Love, it, Katia. My sentiments as well.
I respect Catholicos Aram I and fully appreciate his effort for some peace with his letter to PM Erdogan. I honestly feel that no Turkish government official cares or has any sincere or genuine interest for Armenians’ opinions unless it serves their warped perspective. That comment is not meant to be antagonistic. Their actions thus far show that Turkey does not favor Armenians, let’s not be naïve.
The Israelis may glean something when seeing Turkey getting away with impunity throughout much of history in ruling over and murdering Armenians. A similar principle may apply to Mid East strife with the Palestinians, especially when Israelis/Jews relate their efforts for settlements to America’s pioneer settlers going west and threatening the Native Americans, overrunning them to get their territory by squelching people.
We need more efforts like the Vehapar’s from every Armenian organization in a steady flow. We have to be like the Jews, I write that respectfully, it’s simply the squeaky wheel syndrome but when it accomplishes what you want the effort is deemed justified.