A Vatican university is under scrutiny for hosting a conference that critics say distorts Armenian Christian history.

The event, accused of serving Azeri interests, has sparked widespread condemnation from faith leaders and human rights organizations, the Christian Post reported.

The conference titled "Christianity in Azerbaijan: History and Modernity" was conducted on April 10 at the Pontifical Gregorian University. This prestigious institution, however, clarified that it only provided a venue by renting out a lecture hall and was not involved in the organization or content of the conference.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian highlighted the influence of financial contributions from Azerbaijan to the Vatican, notably the restoration of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, suggesting this could have impacted the university's decision to host the event. His concerns mirrored the frustration of several religious and human rights figures who attended the conference or heard of its proceedings.

Participants in the event came from various countries, including Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Russia, South Korea, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, the United States, and Lithuania. This international presence was ostensibly meant to lend credibility to the discussion, which many critics argue represented a biased view favoring Azerbaijani narratives over established historical facts concerning Armenian heritage.

Allegations of Azerbaijani Influence in Vatican-Related Projects

Promotional materials for the conference controversially included images of a medieval Armenian monastery, labeled as part of the 'Caucasian Albanian' culture. This narrative is a well-documented effort by the Azerbaijani government to lay claims over Armenian Christian sites, an act perceived by many as a form of cultural appropriation or erasure.

The Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights responded by sending a letter to the Pontifical Gregorian University. The letter urged the institution to distance itself from the narratives presented at the conference, which it argued posed "urgent legal, ethical and human rights concerns with direct implications under international law."

Moreover, the Armenian Legal Center criticized the university for potentially abetting what they termed a "broader campaign of denial and cultural genocide" through the unscholarly interpretation of the so-called 'Caucasian Albanian' continuity.

Sudden Conference Announcement Raises Questions

According to Artsakh Monument Watch, the details of the conference were kept highly confidential, with the public only being made aware of the event one to two days in advance. Such secrecy, the group claimed, was indicative of the contentious nature of the conference and possibly intended to minimize backlash before its commencement.

Access to the conference was also notably restricted, suggesting an attempt to control both the narrative and the audience. These actions have only fueled further discontent among critics who view the event as a calculated effort to rewrite historical narratives under the guise of an academic gathering.

The debate over historical interpretation and its implications reaches far beyond mere academic discourse, touching on sensitive issues of national identity, historical justice, and international relations. The controversy surrounding the conference at the Pontifical Gregorian University highlights the complex and often contentious intersection of history, politics, and religion.

The Response from the Pontifical Gregorian University

In perhaps a bid to slightly assuage concerns, the university disclosed that during the conference, greetings were read from prominent Vatican figures—the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches and the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. However, these were not endorsements but typical diplomatic formalities observed in many such gatherings, irrespective of the content being discussed.

A spokesperson for the university emphatically stated, "No academic authority or our lecturer gave any greetings, papers, or attended the event. Its holding at this venue was due to the mere rental of a lecture hall." This statement was aimed at distancing the institution from the ideological overtones of the conference proceedings.

Thus, while the university has sought to clarify its role as a mere venue provider, the broader implications of the conference continue to stir debate and concern among various stakeholders globally.

International Academic and Ethical Standards at Stake

The unfolding controversy at the Vatican university is not just a matter of competing narratives but touches on the very essence of academic integrity and moral responsibility. How universities choose to align themselves with contentious historical narratives has repercussions that ripple through diplomatic and cultural relations, potentially affecting international standing.

As this event has shown, the choice of what to showcase and the context in which historical facts are presented can dramatically influence perceptions and relations between communities with a rich yet contested heritage. This situation serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that educational institutions bear in shaping dialogues and understandings that extend far beyond their lecture halls.

In the face of such complex and multidimensional challenges, the global community will be watching closely to see how the Pontifical Gregorian University and similar institutions navigate the delicate balance between hosting open academic discussions and preventing the manipulation of historical facts.