Theological dialogue with Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
The Joint International Theological 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, co-chaired by Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Demetrios, President of the Department for Ecumenical Relations of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
As planned in the 2019 meeting (see report), Revd Philip Nelpuraparampil and Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos presented papers on the fruits of the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius presented a paper entitled “Impacts of Climate Change and Ecological Concerns: Response Strategy of Adaptation and Mitigation”. Revd 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 updates on various practical projects: a “Source Book on Ecclesiastical History”, a “Common Patristic Readings for 365 Days”, and diverse proposals for pastoral cooperation.
The Catholic Church was represented by Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos, Archbishop Mathew Moolakatt, Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Revd Fr Augustine Kadeparambil, Revd Fr Xavier Koodapuzha, Revd Fr Philip Nelpuraparampil, Revd Fr Jacob Thekkeparampil, and Revd Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle (Co-Secretary).
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church delegation comprised Metropolitan Yakub Mar Irenaios, Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Chrysostomos, Metropolitan Joseph Mar Dionysius, Metropolitan Abraham Mar Stephanos (Co-Secretary), Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros, Revd Baby Varghese, Revd Reji Mathew, Revd Jossi Jacob, Revd Jose John, Revd Koshy Vaidyan, and Revd Mathew Varghese.