JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2006 MEETING
Kottayam, 13-14 September 2006
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its 18th meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Kottayam, on October 13-14, 2006.
The members of the Joint Commission discussed a paper presented by Fr. Baby Varghese on the “Liturgy of the Saint Thomas Christians between 1599 and 1900”. The paper focussed on two different developments: the gradual introduction of the Antiochian liturgy among the Orthodox Christians of Malabar on the one hand, and on the other the latinisation process among the Malabar Christians in communion with Rome. Both developments seriously affected the liturgical life of the Saint Thomas Christians in India and lead to a growing segregation between Orthodox and Catholic communities. Attention was also paid to the restoration process of the original liturgy in the Syro-Malabar Church, after the Second Vatican Council. The delegation members agreed on the vital importance of safeguarding liturgical heritages as a means of fostering unity among Churches rooted in the same ecclesial tradition.
The Joint Commission members discussed the impact of some new evangelical or Pentecostal movements, as they increasingly develop their activities in Kerala. Besides some valuable effects in the life of persons or groups, the delegation members identified some possible deviations in the pastoral activities of these movements and some unfortunate consequences for the life of the local Churches, specifically in the ecumenical field.
Ample attention was paid to the purpose and to the further activities of this dialogue commission. The delegation members agreed that this commission should continue working on its theological, historical and theological agenda, though greater efforts may be required in dealing with moral questions and pastoral issues. These efforts should allow the local Churches to strengthen their common witness in responding to the challenges of present day society.
The Joint Commission members took note of the report of the third meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, held in Etchmiadzin (Armenia), from 27-30 January 2006.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian delegation was composed of: Bishop Yuhanan Mar Chrysostom (acting co-chair), Fr. John Panicker, Fr Mathew Baby, Fr Baby Varghese and Shri P.C. Abraham. Metropolitan Philipos Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios, Fr. K.M. George and Fr. John Mathews (co-secretary) could not attend the meeting. The members of the Catholic delegation were: Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil (acting co-chair), Archbishop Isaac Mar Cleemis (representing Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios), Bishop Patrick D’Souza, Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Fr. Anthony Kakkanatt, Fr. Philip Nelpuraparampil and Msgr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop Kuriakose Mar Kunnacherry, Bishop Brian Farrell and Fr. Francis Pereparambil could not attend the meeting.
The next meeting is to be held at the Sophia Centre of Kottayam, on 23-24 October 2007. Four issues will be on the agenda. First, regarding theology, papers will be discussed on “Patristic and liturgical reflections regarding primacy in the Church, up to the 17th century”. Secondly, regarding Church History, two papers will be discussed on the liturgical tradition of the St. Thomas Christians; one paper prepared by the Catholic side on “The liturgical tradition of the St. Thomas Christians from 1659 till the 19th century”, and another paper prepared by the Orthodox side on “The liturgical traditions of the St. Thomas Christians between 1599 and 1900”. The commission will also continue its study of archival documents related to the pre-Diamper period for jointly publication. Thirdly, regarding moral questions, two papers will be discussed on bio-ethical issues, as they emerge in present day life. Finally, the commission intends discussing a revised proposed statement regarding mixed marriages.
[Information Service 125 (2007/III) 106-107]