Rev. Fr. Abel Manoukian Receives Suspension
By the order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, as of May 10, 2011, Rev. Fr. Abel Manoukian will be suspended from his clerical activities. The order states that Father Abel is being suspended due to failure to; acknowledge the canonical Diocese of Switzerland, recognize the authority of the appointed Locum Tenens and pastor of the Church of St. Jacob in Geneva, and not comply with the Pontifical order to return to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Rev. Fr. Abel has been ordered to return to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin within a week to meet with the Clergy Council. During the period of suspension, the clergyman is prohibited from conducting sacraments and services, as those will not be recognized as valid.
