Catholicos of All Armenians Received Representatives of Pax Christi International
17.05.2016
On May 16, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; received the representatives and members of the General Secretariat of the Austrian branch of the Pax Christi International Catholic Organization, a global Catholic peace movement.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Richard Hussl, Political Officer of the organization, expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for the meeting and briefly presented the Pax Christi mission and current peacekeeping activities. Reflecting on programs aimed at healing and reconciling with the problems of the past, Dr. Hussl also spoke about the events held in Innsbruck in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, where numerous Austrians participated.
His Holiness extended his message and blessings to the Catholic pilgrims, wishing that they be inspired by spirituality during their visit to Armenia. His Holiness welcomed the activities of Pax Christi directed at the establishment of peace and justice in the world, expressing gratitude for the important contribution of the Catholic organization in the case of Austria's recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
The Catholicos of All Armenians reflected on the warm relations and cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, noting that one of its manifestations is the upcoming visit by Pope Francis to Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in June.
During the meeting, His Holiness answered questions regarding the Church’s educational activities, Church-state relations, and Ecclesiastical Liturgical perceptions regarding the family.
A particular reference was made to the peacekeeping activities of the Churches. In this regard, there was a discussion of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, specifically the military actions unleashed by Azerbaijan along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh in April, and as well as about the efforts by spiritual leaders to maintain peace.
At the conclusion, the Armenian Pontiff wished the members of the Pax Christi Organization success, so that due to their efforts injustice, violence and the disasters of war in the world will end.
Attending the meeting was His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See.
