JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2003 MEETING
Kottayam, 8-11 October 2003
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its 15th meeting at the Sophia Centre, Kottayam, on October 8-11, 2003. Three issues were discussed: (1) the concept of primacy in the Church ; (2) the problem of proselytism and offensive publications ; (3) the pastoral question of mixed marriages.
The meeting started with a prayer for the repose of the soul of the Very Rev. Ramban Theophoros, who was a member of the Joint Commission since the very beginning and who died since last year’s meeting.
Regarding the issue of primacy in the Church, two papers were presented: a first one on “Petrine Primacy. Biblical Perspectives” by Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, and a second one on “Primacy in the Church: some points of discussion” by Fr. K.M. George. As appeared from the papers and the subsequent discussion, the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Church, though largely sharing the same theological and ecclesiological tradition, still have different views on several issues related to the Church as communion, such as the nature and scope of the particular responsibility given by Jesus to Peter; the relation between Peter and the Bishops of Rome; the difference between a historical-canonical and a biblical-theological basis of primacy; the relation between primacy on a regional level and primacy on a universal level; the identity and primacy questions related to the Indian Church of St. Thomas. The Commission members agreed that these issues would require further study and dialogue.
In order to foster mutual understanding and respect of the local level, the Joint Commission discussed and prepared an “Agreed Statement on Proselytism”. The Statement was commonly agreed upon and signed by both co-chairmen, Mar Joseph Powathil and Metropolitan Philipose Mar Eusebios, on October 10th, 2003.
Regarding the pastoral question of mixed marriages, no progress could be made. After last year’s meeting the proposed “Common Statement on Inter-Church marriages”, together with the amendments of the Syro-Malabar Church, were brought back to the Holy Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Though expressing appreciation for the efforts and the intentions of the Joint Commission, the Holy Synod could not agree with some essential elements of the proposed Common Statement. The crux of the discussion is related to the acceptance or not of mixed marriages and families. Some members of the Joint Commission have again been asked to look for a way out this impasse.
Some initiatives in the field of common witness, which were already programmed during last year’s meeting but not yet realised, were again put on the agenda. New arrangements were made for organising a one-day conference on family issues, a clergy pilgrimage on the Feast of St. Thomas and a meeting of members of religious communities on issues related to spiritual and monastic life.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian delegation was composed of: Metropolitan Philipos Mar Eusebius (co-chair), Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios; Very Rev. Ramban Yohanan, Fr. K.M. George; Fr. Jacob Kurien; Fr. Johns Abraham Konat; Fr. John Mathews (co-secretary); Fr. John Panicker; Shri P.C. Abraham, Dr. A. Karackal. The members of the Catholic Church delegation were: Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil (acting co-chair); Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry; Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Francis Pereparambil; Msgr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair), Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Bishop Patrick D’Souza and Fr. Geevarghese Chediath could not attend the meeting.
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre of Kottayam, 13-15 October 2004. There will be two main issues on the agenda. Firstly, the sub-commission on history will study various developments in the liturgical tradition of the St. Thomas Churches, from the 16th to the 19th centuries. This sub-commission will also start preparatory work towards the publication of some primary sources relating to the history of the St. Thomas Churches. Secondly, the sub-commission on theology will prepare a paper on the patristic teaching and liturgical catechesis on Primacy during the pre-Chalcedonian period. In order to enhance the quality and effectiveness of this official dialogue commission, it was decided that the sub-commissions would resume their normal work during the year, meet at regular intervals and prepare a more substantial contribution to the annual Joint Commission meeting.
[Information Service 114 (2003/IV) 195-196]