JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE CATHOLICH CHURCH AND THE ASSYRIAN CHURCH OF THE EAST
PRESS RELEASE
Third Meeting (Rome, October 23-28, 1997)
The third meeting of the Mixed Committee for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East was held in Rome from 23 to 28 October 1997. The members of the Committee studied various themes which had been proposed at the end of their previous meeting in Adma, Lebanon. The first theme related to sacramental life in the Assyrian Church of the East, with particular reference to the Holy Leaven (Malka) and the Sign of the Cross. The second theme concerned the Creed of Nicea-Constantinople, and more precisely the procession of the Holy Spirit. The third theme considered the Blessed Virgin Mary, who holds a very important position in both our liturgical and spiritual traditions. Finally, information was exchanged on the Joint Synodal Decree for Promoting Unity between the Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church, signed by both Mar Dinkha IV, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, and Mar Raphael Bidawid, Catholic Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church. At the end of their meeting, the members of the Mixed Committee gave thanks to the Lord for this opportunity to continue their dialogue in friendship and truth.
The participants from the Church of the East were: H.E. Archbishop Mar Narsai de Baz (Co- President), H.E. Mar Bawai Soro, H.E. Mar Meelis Zaia, H.E. Archbishop Mar Eprem, Reverend Gewargis Tooma and Reverend William Yakob; the participants from the Catholic Church were: H.E. Bishop Pierre Duprey (Co-President), H.E. Archbishop Cyrille Selim Boustros, H.E. Archbishop Antoine Audo, Monsignor Sarhad Jammo, Reverend Father Matthew Vellanickal and Reverend Johan Bonny.
29 October 1997
[Information Service 96 (1997/IV) 138-139]