JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH

REPORT OF THE 2015 MEETING

Kottayam, 15-16 December 2015

The Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its meeting at the Mar Baselios Dayara, Njaliakuzhy, Vakathanam, Kottayam, on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 December 2015.

After a moment of prayer, led by His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Grace Gabriel Mor Gregorios, Co-Chairman of the Commission, welcomed the members expressing also his gratitude for the 25 years of ecumenical pilgrimage. He reflected that “the more we come nearer to God, the more we come closer to each other. During our encounter we realize that we have so many elements in common. We express our solidarity with all those who face violence and persecution in Syria, Turkey and other parts of the world. We express our closeness in prayer for peace”. Finally His Grace expressed his gratitude to the members of the commission.

Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Co-Chairman of the Commission, addressed the members in his introductory words, referring to the commemoration of 25 years of dialogue last year. He stated that “we have begun to discover that, over time, and as trust and friendship grows, the dialogue is no longer a comparative discussion, but a genuine Christian encounter, a real exchange of gifts. We have been able to incarnate the gospel. We can learn from one another. There are different ways to incarnate the gospel according to the culture and the tradition of the people. We are so grateful for our dialogue which is a human and Christian encounter and for the dedication of all the members to our common journey”.

The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church delegation comprised: Metropolitans His Grace Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios (Co-Chairman), His Grace Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios, His Grace Dr. Youhanan Mar Dioscoros, His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulius, His Grace Dr. Mathews Mar Thimothios, Fr. Dr. K.M. George, Fr. Dr. Koshy Vaidyan (who replaced Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat), Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese, Fr. Dr. T. I. Varghese, Fr. Dr. O. Thomas, Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew, Fr. Dr. Jose John, Dr: Kurian Thomas and Fr. Abraham Thomas (co-secretary). The Catholic Church was represented by Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishop Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal, Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil, Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil and Msgr. Gabriel Quicke (co-secretary).

Msgr. Gabriel Quicke presented the report of the meeting in 2014, which the Commission approved.

Dr. M. Kurian Thomas presented a paper on Religious harmony that existed in Kerala in Pre-Colonial and Colonial Times. “The religious harmony was a culture developed historically from its domestic and maritime trade relations”. More recently the cosmopolitan outlook of Kerala expanded rapidly through global migration and modern communication media. Due to different reasons (such as the use of religion for political interests, unnecessary interventions of some religious leaders in dictating food habits etc…, and the infiltration of certain doctrines imported from abroad and North-India) a kind of split has been created in the harmony of the cosmopolitan Kerala society. Bishop Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan also presented a paper on the same issue. In his conclusion he states that the caste system dominates over religion. There is a harmony within the castes despite religious differences. In the same caste one can find different religions.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew presented Ecclesiological Principles Underlining Pastoral Cooperation: the Principle of Oikonomia in the Orthodox Church. Oikonomia designates the divine plan of salvation. ‘It is an imitation of God’s love for man and not simply an exception to the rule. It cannot be defined; it is a lived reality, not reducible to a precise concept. It can take new forms, responding to new needs. In his paper Ecclesiological Principles Underlining Pastoral Cooperation His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil presented the doctrinal basis of the concept of koinonia, the emphasis on Eucharistic ecclesiology, which provides “a strong theological basis for the ecumenical process as well as for sacramental sharing”;  the changed theological perception of the ecclesial status of the churches not in full communion with the Catholic Church into an inclusive vision; and finally different forms of sacramental sharing of pastoral collaboration.

His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt presented a paper on the Catholic and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Ecumenical Interventions. In the discussion afterwards the need for pastoral cooperation was emphasized, as well as patristic reading of the Scripture, common prayer texts, practical guidelines for the clergy.

Finally the Joint Commission issued a Statement on the different topics that have been discussed.

The next meeting will be held at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December 2016. The following issues will be on the agenda:

Firstly: preparation for Publication of the Papers presented from 2000. A subcommittee (composed of Rev. Fr. Abraham Thomas (co-secretary), Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil, Rev. Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese and Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal) will make the necessary preparations.

Secondly: Papers on Patristic Interpretation of the Gospel will be prepared by Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew and Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil. This is in view of the aim that in the future there could be a jointly published Compendium on the Patristic Interpretation of the Gospel.

Thirdly: Pastoral Guidelines for the clergy on the basis of the presented papers, prepared by a subcommittee (composed of His Grace Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios, His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, his Grace Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, His Excellency Bishop Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, Fr. Dr. O. Thomas, Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal (coordinator).

Fourthly: Locating and listing the texts of Liturgical Prayers  from the Syriac Traditions for translating and publishing. This will be initiated by a subcommittee (composed of Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil, Rev. Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese and Rev. Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat).

Fifthly: Common Patristic Readings for 365 Days which will be prepared by His Grace Dr. Youhanan Mar Dioscoros and His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Koorilos.

Sixthly: Source Book on Ecclesiastical History, prepared by Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha (Co-ordinatior) Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Rev. Fr. Dr. T. I. Varghese and Fr. Dr. Jose John.