JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2016 MEETING
Kottayam, 13-14 December 2016
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December 2016.
Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Co-Chairman of the Commission, invited the members to pray for the Coptic Christians who were victims of an attack in Cairo: "We are united as Christians and remember them in our prayers, in solidarity with all the Christians all over the world. We also pray for those who do these things that the Lord change their hearts". After a moment of prayer, led by His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakatt, His Grace Archbishop Powathil expressed words of welcome to all the members of the Commission. He expressed his gratitude that we are united together again, growing in friendship, hoping to move a step forwards for Christian unity. He congratulated Bishop Farrell on the nomination to the cardinalate of his brother, Cardinal Kevin Farrell. He called to mind the persecution of Christians not only in the Middle East, but everywhere, also in India: "Therefore, we should stand together for our rights and our faith".
His Grace Gabriel Mor Gregorios, Co-Chairman of the Commission, welcomed the members expressing also his gratitude for our meeting and dialogue. He reflected that every time we meet together, we discover something new. We discover that through our interaction and exchange of ideas, we grow in fraternity and fellowship. In this way our dialogue becomes a spiritual experience and a source of enrichment. Dialogues of the past quarter of a century have helped each other's own self-understanding. His Grace also expressed his hope about the future of the dialogue, and in particular that this meeting may strengthen our common understanding and deepen our spiritual path together.
Bishop Brian Farrell described the important ecumenical events of the last year: the historical encounter between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Cuba, which was the result of many years of preparation; the Pan-Orthodox Council in Crete, where his Eminence Cardinal Koch and Bishop Farrell were invited as observers for the opening and concluding sessions. Pope Francis visited the Island of Lesbos together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens to express his closeness and solidarity to the refugees, the citizens of Lesbos and to all the Greek people who have been so generous in welcoming them. There was the commemoration in Rome of 50 years of dialogue with the Anglicans. In particular, 40 Anglican and Catholic bishops undertook together a pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome. During a Vespers Service Pope Francis and Archbishop Welby commissioned the participating bishops in their mission: namely that in each of their respective regions a Catholic and an Anglican bishop will work together to promote forms of collaboration. This is a very fundamental way of growing in Christian unity. Pope Francis visited Sweden for the Joint Commemoration of the Reformation on 31 October in Lund and Malmo. After 50 years of dialogue the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue Commission produced a new document entitled From Conflict to Communion - Together in Hope. In the Common Declaration signed it is affirmed that while we cannot change history, we can change the way we view historical events and look for ways to purify and to heal memory. Finally, Bishop Farrell concluded that we should be hopeful that all these efforts may be blessed by God and may produce good fruits.
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 Youhanon Mar Dioscoros, His Grace Dr Geevarghese Mar Yulios, His Grace Dr Mathews Mar Thimothios, Father Dr Baby Varghese, Father Dr Koshy Vaidyan, Father Dr O. Thomas, Father Dr Reji Mathew, Father Dr Jose John and Father Abraham Thomas (co-secretary).
The Catholic Church was represented by Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakatt, His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Excellency Bishop Dr Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Revd Dr Mathew Vellanickal, Revd Dr Xavier Koodapuzha, Revd Dr Jacob Thekkeparampil, Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil, Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil and Msgr. Gabriel Quicke (cosecretary).
Monsignor Gabriel Quicke presented the report of the meeting in 2015, which the Commission approved (with some minor corrections).
Father Dr Reji Mathew presented a paper on Patristic Interpretation of the Gospels. "A joint commentary will be a witness for our common journey and it will give confidence to our faithful". In the discussion afterwards it was considered that while the paper would be a valuable contribution, there was a need to be realistic because of the immense amount of work involved. Reference was made to 'Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture' (in 20 volumes), which could be helpful for our project. The first step to undertake is to draft the 'principles of Biblical interpretation', with the aim of popularizing the concept. The liturgical! context needs also to be included in the interpretation. Working together on such a project can strengthen our bonds and encourage the faithful to come closer to one another. A subcommittee will prepare a project with some concrete examples, which can be the basis for drafting 'popular booklets about biblical interpretation'.
Father Dr Koshy Vaidyan presented a paper on Common Patristic Readings for 365 days.
On reflecting on this common project, it was agreed that we should compose texts from the first centuries till the 8th century, seeking texts which are not doctrinally dividing but unifying, selecting them in chronological order. A subcommittee will prepare a proposal.
Father Dr Jose John presented a paper on Source Materials for Indian Ecclesiastical!
History. During the exchange of comments the need was expressed to study all the sources from throughout history, including the manuscripts, with a view to re-reading and learning from history. It was concluded that different lists of bibliography would be collected and completed, and ultimately arranged in alphabetical order. A subcommittee will prepare the final draft. The completed Source Book on Ecclesiastical History can be published on a new website for our Commission, that will be created by Revd Father Abraham Thomas and Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil. (Links can be made to the respective websites).
Finally, two papers were presented on pastorall co-operation. His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt presented a paper entitled Towards an Ecumenical! Praxis. A range of important suggestions were proposed, such as a common text on the most important Christian prayers, common bible conventions, and ecumenical cooperation in the seminaries. It is very important to implement concrete steps on the local level, looking for ways to pray together.
His Grace Dr Yakob Mar Irenaios presentend a paper on Pastoral Cooperation: An Orthodox Point of View in the Context of the Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue. After the presentation it was emphasized that our ecclesial concern should be put in a broader context of the society in which we live. This aspect deals with the mission of the curch in the world. It is a stimulus for our ecumenical journey to realize that the Churches are standing and working together in solidarity in this sometimes very difficult time.
Finally there was the reading of an agreement with the Joint Statement, in which solidarity was expressed with the persecuted Christians in the Middle East, more precisely the 25 Coptic Christians who lost their lives while attending a church service on Sunday 11 December 2016.
The next meeting will be held at the Mar Baselios Dayara, Njaliakuzhy, Vakathanam, Kottayam on 12-13 December 2017. The following issues will be on the agenda:
The progress of the different practical projects:
Common Patristic Readings for 365 days: a subcommittee will draft a proposal, and will comprise His Grace Dr Youhanon Mar Dioscoros, His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, Father Dr Koshy Vaidyan, Revd Dr Jacob Thekkeparampil and Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil. Emphasis will be given to the passages with the themes on Christian unity, compassion, martyrdom and holiness. A concept Paper based on the work will be ready to present in the next session of the Joint Commission.
Source Book on Ecclesiastical History: a subcommittee will prepare this text, and will comprise Revd Dr Xavier Koodapuzha (Coordinator), Father Dr Jose John and Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil. This can be published on a new website for our Commission that will be created by Revd Father Abraham Thomas and Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil.
The Principles of Biblical Interpretation: A subcommittee comprising Father Dr Reji Mathew, Revd Dr Mathew Vellanickal and Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil will prepare a project with some concrete examples. Father Reji Mathew is assigned to coordinate the Sub-Committee to commence the work before the end of March 2017.
Relevant points on possible pastoral cooperation based on the two papers of His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt and His Grace Yakub Mar Irenaios will be prepared and presented in the next Meeting.
Presentation and brief reflections on the two documents from the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church (Rome, 29 January, 2009) will be presented by Father Dr Baby Varghese and Revd Dr Mathew Vellanickal.
The Exercise of Communion in the Life of the Early Church and its Implications for our Search for Communion Today (Rome, 28 January, 2015) will be presented by His Grace Dr Gabriel Mar Gregorios and by His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt.