EDITOR’S NOTE: The Western Prelacy issued a communiqué Wednesday to clarify rumors and innuendo that has been circulating in the community regarding the status of the Prelacy’s Christian Education Department Co-Chair Very Rev. Father Barthev Gulumian. Below is the text of the statement as was received by Asbarez:
We hereby bring to the attention of our faithful that in the past few weeks there have been unsettling occurrences regarding the departure of Christian Education Department Co-Chair Very Rev. Father Barthev Gulumian due to federal immigration laws.
We understand and respect the concerns expressed by those toward this matter. The Executive Council is taking all necessary steps in pursuit of Father Barthev’s immigration status in the United States. Thus, we advise our faithful to disregard the false and misleading information and disparaging statements that have been circulating in different forums and which have led to a harmful atmosphere.
Our community is well aware that the Brotherhood of the Holy See of Cilicia, with the guidance and blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, in its mission, has always regarded as highest priority the national interests of our people and communities.
Hence, we expect that our faithful community, with good conscience and ardent regard for the standing of our religious and national institutions, demonstrate utmost respect for our church canons and hierarchical orders.
Western Prelacy Divan
February 6, 2012
Hayr Bartev has always held a central and very important part of both my spiritual and physical life. This communique is a little too late as many faithful in the community were not able to properly say goodbye to Hayr Soorp and feel an empty place in their hearts. The reason for his departure are, frankly, irrevelet because we all know a man of his passion, blessing, and charisma will, God-willing, hold higher offices in the future. Hayr Soorp, if you are reading this, good luck in your next journey and remember that there is a community in Southern California that misses and loves you greatly.
Where is he now? Why he left the priesthood? He was only a Hypocrite
in disguise.
Hayr Bartev saved my sanity amd my family on numerous ocassions and I want to see him be brought back at all cost he was such an important part of the church community in the So. Cal area and he did so much good all over and it is a shame and litterally a tragedy that he was wisked away from us in such a fashion! I would watch his bible studies and at times travel 3 hours just to come to a bible just to hear his message so the prelacy has done the Amenian community such an injustice to take him away!!!! We love you Hayr Sourp and hope that we can have you back soon!!!