Application pending, waiting for the referendum

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.