Istanbul-Armenian vicar slammed over stance on Bundestag resolution

Archbishop Aram Atesyan, General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarch in Turkey, has come under heavy criticism over his reaction to the German Bundestag’s move to recognize the Armenian Genocide in its recently adopted resolution.

In a front page article condemning his letter, addressed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Istanbul-based Armenian weekly Agos quoted the comments and opinions of Armenian community representatives who are angered by the move (especially the apologies offered to the Turkish leader).

The English translation of the article is provided below with slight abridgements:

Turkey’s reaction to the German parliament’s move to recognize the 1915 events as genocide demonstrated how far the ruling party and the two major political factions in parliament are from confronting the issue.

The speeches and steps made over the past week – on the political arena and under its pressure –  revealed the strength of that denial machine.  

In such an atmosphere, the letter by Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, the Istanbul general vicar, stirred up a great resentment in the Armenian community, as it was written on their behalf.

This move by Ateshyan, who time and again had his hand in the protraction of the patriarchal elections, received a negative response also by the Armenians living beyond Turkey’s borders.

Denial is the weightiest pledge; hence no political or religious government can be built upon such ramshackle foundations.  

Social media response

Ateshyan’s letter attracted numerous responses on Facebook and Twitter. The step, amounting to apology, was described as a move unfit for the patriarchate. And the deletion of certain comments from the patriarchate’s Facebook page spurred another wave [of protests].  

"Shameful statement" - Tania Taşçıoğlu

"Please do not delete the comments left; we say we are not joining the letter." - Avedis Andonoğlu

“You ought to be ashamed.” –  Alin Hilkat Sercenyan 

“This statement is yours, not the community’s.” - İkbal Polat

“Why does he offer apologies at all? It isn’t that easy to cover up the truth.” – Maryam Çelik

“Who has ever given him the right to speak on our behalf.” –  Tilda Mangasar

“Who is he that he should make decisions and offer apologies instead of me.” – Silva Aydın

“This letter is insulting to me, as it is to those who lost ancestors and loved ones in 1915. Moreover, if it is written on the patriarchate’s behalf as though it reflects an entire nation’s idea; it has caused trouble to me and almost to all of my friends.” –  Av. Arsen Hubeseryan