JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2004 MEETING
Kottayam, 13-14 October 2004
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church held its 16th meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Kottayam, on October 13-14, 2004.
Two papers were discussed: (1) “The Liturgical Tradition of the St. Thomas Christians till the 19th century”, prepared by Fr. John Panicker and (2) “Petrine Primacy in the First Four Centuries: Some Points for Discussion”, prepared by Fr. K. M. George. Even if the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church share many elements of agreement related to the Church as communion, they still hold different views on some essential issues, particularly on the question of Petrine Ministry. The members of the Joint Commission agreed that further study on these issues is required.
Regarding Common Witness, ample attention was given again to the issue of mixed marriages and the possibility of reaching a pastoral agreement on these issues. The members of the Joint Commission decided that a revised project be prepared, based on the statement drafted in 2000, which subsequently should be submitted to the competent ecclesial authorities.
The Joint Commission members took note of the report of the first meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Ortodox Churches, held in Cairo (Egypt), from 27-30 January 2004. They discussed possible repercussions of this international dialogue on the local dialogue in Kerala.
Some new initiatives in the field of common witness were commonly agreed upon: (1) a one-day ecumenical conference on 18th December 2004 at Nilakal Centre for representatives of both communities; (2) an ecumenical conference on counselling for families; (3) a one-day ecumenical conference for members of religious communities.
Decisions were taken regarding the functioning of the sub-commissions. The sub-commission on Common Witness will study if and how this dialogue commission could engage in an ecumenical reflection on some social or ethical questions of common interest. The sub-commission on Church History will undertake preparatory work in view of the publication of some primary documents related to the pre-Diamper period; at a first stage, lists will be drawn up of all documents available and criteria of selection will be defined.
Finally, attention was given by the delegation members to some recent events affecting relations between the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. They took notice of the position of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church regarding the unity of the «Malankara Orthodox Church » in Kerala, nonwithstanding some recent developments.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian delegation was composed of: Metropolitan Philipos Mar Eusebius (co-chair), Metropolitan Mathews Mar Severios; Fr. K.M. George; Fr. Jacob Kurian; Fr. Johns Abraham Konat; Fr. John Mathews (co-secretary); Fr. John Panicker; Fr. Raji Mathew; Shri P.C. Abraham, Dr. A. Karackal. The members of the Catholic Church delegation were: Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair); Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry; Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios (representing Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios); Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Geeverghese Chediath; Fr. Francis Pereparambil; Msgr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios and Bishop Patrick D’Souza could not attend the meeting.
The next meeting is to be held at the Sophia Centre of Kottayam, on 7-9 December 2005. Three issues will be on the agenda. First, regarding theology, two papers will be discussed on “Patristic and liturgical reflections regarding primacy in the Church, up to the 17th century” and one paper on “One Church of the St. Thomas Christians. A projection”. Secondly, regarding Church History, two papers will be discussed on “The liturgical tradition of the St. Thomas Christians from 1659 till the 19th century”. The commission will also study a project for the Churches in Kerala to publish jointly some archival documents related to their pre-Diamper history. Thirdly, regarding common witness, the commission will discuss a revised proposed statement regarding mixed marriages.
[Information Service 117 (2004/IV) 161-162]