This statement is addressed to fellow leaders of the Eastern Diocese, parishioners, and the Armenian-American public, regarding the recent proposal for the development of the Diocesan Complex in New York.
Since the Diocesan Assembly in May 2018, when the proposal was first presented to the public, misinformation has unfortunately driven the discussion. This public statement, which we agree is overdue, is meant to address that, and to provide insight into the current status of activity.
As members of the Diocesan Council, we have spent much of the past two months responding to individual comments and reacting to harsh attacks based on this misinformation. We thank those who have taken the time to speak with us and have allowed us to answer your questions, address your concerns, and set the record straight. We also thank the many Diocesan Delegates who have tried to responsibly and accurately communicate the facts to fellow parishioners.
Our hope is that this statement will start a healthy, constructive dialogue with community members from across our Diocese. We will do this both in writing (including through the linked Fact File documents) and in person, through a series of open meetings currently being organized, where we will gladly answer your questions and address any concerns raised.
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The Council’s objective in considering this project and proposal is to fulfill the mission of the Armenian Church by envisioning, funding, and enabling innovative programs that attract and engage our faithful in the life of the church. To begin, we want to clearly state the three fundamental principles driving the current Diocesan Development Plan Proposal:
