JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2009 MEETING
Kottayam, 16-17 December 2009
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its 19th meeting at the Sophia Centre, Kottayam, from December 16-17, 2009. Five major issues were discussed: 1)Sharing of sacred places especially Churches and Cemeteries; 2) Administration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in certain circumstances; 3) Marriage between Catholic and Orthodox faithful; 4) Some projects for Common Witness were presented: a conference for Monks and Sisters; cooperation between Seminaries and a conference on family issues; 5) Primacy of Peter in the writings of the Fathers and the ancient liturgical texts.
The first issue dealt with sharing of sacred places especially Churches and Cemeteries. A sub-commission prepared a draft document to present a concrete proposal on sharing of Churches and Cemeteries to the respective Synods. Secondly Father Baby Varghese presented some reflections on Anointing of the Sick and its Administration to non-orthodox. Theologically and canonically it is difficult for the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to administer a sacrament to one who is not in communion with the Orthodox Church. The Joint Commission agreed to look for a common understanding for exceptional cases for Anointing of the sick. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church agreed that the Anointing of the sick is possible in exceptional situations (the principle of ‘pastoral oeconomia’). The Synod can determine the circumstances and will discuss how they will inform the priests. With regard to Common Witness some projects were presented: a conference for Monks and Sisters; cooperation between Seminaries and a conference on family issues. A sub-commission will prepare the programs in detail. Fourthly, Father Pauly Maniyattu from the Saint Thomas Apostolic Seminary presented a paper on ‘Roman Primacy according to the Fathers of the Church and the Ancient Syriac Liturgical texts’. After the presentation of the paper an interesting discussion took place on the role of Peter, Paul and James in the New Testament. Authority is a ministry of faith and must be exercised in a context of ‘authority and synodality, primacy and conciliarity’ Finally, the Joint Commission discussed a draft statement on inter-Church marriages. The commission agreed that some passages of the text had to be clarified.
The delegation members also had a meeting with His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, who offered a dinner for the members of the Joint Commission.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian delegation comprised: Metropolitan Gabriel Mar Gregorios (co-chair), Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius; Fr. Baby Varghese; Fr. Johns Abraham Konat; Fr. Sabu Kuriakose; Fr. Abraham Thomas; Fr. O. Thomas; Fr. John Mathews (co-secretary). The members of the Catholic delegation were: Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair); Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil; Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakatt; Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos; Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Jacob Thekkeparampil; Fr. Fhilip Nelpura; Fr. Gabriel Quicke (co-secretary).
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre of Kottayam from 8 to 9 December 2010. The following issues will be on the agenda: the agreements of the Synod on sharing of sacred places especially Churches and Cemeteries and on inter-Church marriages. Further elaboration of the administration of the Anointing of the Sick in certain circumstances. The Orthodox members will prepare a paper on ‘Primacy and Conciliarity’.
[Information Service 133 (2010/I) 23-24]