JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2022 MEETING
Spirituality Centre, Manganam, 13 December 2022
The Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its 30th meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on 13th December 2022.
The meeting began with an opening prayer led by Metropolitan Yakub Mar Irenaios. Welcoming all the members on behalf of the local Catholic Church, Archbishop Mar Thomas Koorilos also remembered Revd Dr. O. Thomas who passed away recently, for his theological contributions to the Commission. He congratulated His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos, Co-Secretary, for his recent elevation as a Metropolitan and expressed his appreciation for the leadership of the new Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in bringing Churches together.
In his opening address, His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell, Co-chair, expressed his joy in resuming the dialogue after a gap of three years due to the pandemic. He remembered His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II of blessed memory and acknowledged the assuming of the office of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III. Bishop Farrell further reflected on the consequences of the pandemic on ecumenical relations and highlighted the importance of the current synodal process of the Catholic Church. He also recalled that this year marks the 1950th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St Thomas, and 2025 will mark the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. These anniversaries could be an opportunity for the Churches of St. Thomas in thinking of their common origin and of their future journeying together.
His Grace Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, Co-Chair, recalled with gratitude the progress of the dialogue since its inception from the time of the first meeting between His Holiness Mathews I and His Holiness John Paul II, and mentioned as a challenge the reception of the fruits of the dialogue on the grassroot level. He also remembered the precious contributions of past members of the Commission such as Archbishop Joseph Powathil and Fr. Geewarghese Chediathu.
The Report of the year 2019 was presented by Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle and approved by the Commission.
As planned in the 2019 meeting, Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil and His Grace Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos presented papers on the fruits of the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Fr. Philip Nelpuraparambil, highlighting that the ecumenical relations of the Catholic Church with the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church have got historical, theological, juridical, and pastoral dimensions, reflected, in particular, on the joint Christological agreement and on the pastoral agreements on sharing of sacred places and on sharing of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos Metropolitan, underlining the need of guidelines for the implementations of these agreements and of a road map for pastoral cooperation, suggested various concrete initiatives. Both papers were discussed and appreciated by the members of the Commission, who highlighted the importance of the reception of the pastoral agreements, particularly through their publications and translations. The Commission suggested to publish a paper consolidating all past Joint Statements, and also to draft an agreement on the Sacrament of Confession.
Metropolitan Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius presented a paper entitled “Impacts of Climate Change and Ecological Concerns: Response Strategy of Adaptation and Mitigation”, reminding the responsibility of the ecumenical bodies in practically responding to the environmental issues. The Commission valued the scientific input and stressed the need for further reflections on the biblical, patristic, theological and spiritual dimensions of ecology.
Revd Dr Reji Mathew offered a paper entitled “Guidelines for Common Catechism”, reflecting on the need of the publishing of common Catechetical texts in the current context of crisis of the transmission of faith. The Commission discussed the proposal and agreed on the necessity of reflect further on this topic next year.
A report on Patristic Reading for 365 Days was presented jointly by His Grace Dr. Thomas Koorilos and Fr. Dr. Koshy Vaidyan. It is decided that by the next meeting a finalized version will be sent to all the members for corrections. Likewise, an update on Common Resources on Ecclesiastical History was presented. It is decided that Fr. Philip Nelpuraparampil would provide the names of the history scholars from the Catholic side who would work along with the team of Fr. Jose John in producing the draft common literature in the next year. It is updated that the typesetting of the Papers from 2001 is progressing for the documentation of those in the proposed website.
The next meeting will be hosted by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Mar Baselios Dayara, Njaliyakuzhy, on 12th and 13th December 2023.
The following will be on the agenda:
1. Revised version of the Statement on interchurch marriages presented by Metropolitan Mar Dioscoros and Archbishop Mathew Moolikat.
2. A Paper consolidating all past General Statements by Revd Jose John and Fr Philip Nelpuraparampil.
3. A responsive Paper on ecotheology will be presented by Father Jacob Thekeparampil, Metropolitan Yakob Mar Irenaios, while Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle will present a paper on Laudato Sì.
4. A completed version of Patristic Reading for 365 Days and of Common Resources on Ecclesiastical History will be sent to all the members for corrections.
5. A draft document detailing the Catholic-Malankara Orthodox relations for the awareness of the faithful of both the churches will be jointly prepared by Revd Jose John and Fr Philip Nelpuraparampil.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church delegation comprised:
His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Demetrios (Co-Chair), His Grace Dr. Yakub Mar Irenaios, His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos, His Grace Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius, His Grace Dr. Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros, Fr. Dr. Baby Varghese, Fr. Dr. Reji Mathew, Fr. Dr. Jossi Jacob, Fr. Dr. Jose John, Fr. Dr. Koshy Vaidyan, Fr. Dr. Mathew Varghese, His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos (Co-Secretary).
The Catholic Church was represented by His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chair), His Grace Mathew Moolakkatt, His Grace Dr. Thomas Koorilos, Bishop Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Revd. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Revd. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparambil, Revd. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Revd. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparambil and Revd. Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle (Co-Secretary).