JOINT STATEMENT MADE BY THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
AND SYRIAN ORTHODOX (UNDER THE HOLY SEE OF ANTIOCH) CHURCHES REGARDING EPISCOPACY AND PETRINE MINISTRY
15 October 2002
1. Both the Churches agree that the bishops are successors of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ by virtue of their ordination in the apostolic succession.
2. The bishops are the symbol of unity in the local Church and of communion with the universal Church.
3. When a bishop celebrates the Holy Eucharist in communion with all other bishops and his primate, then and there, the one holy catholic and apostolic Church is manifested. There is a reciprocal relation between local Church and universal Church in specific time and space, and the universal church being the communion of local churches.
Full communion of churches presupposes mainly the unity in faith, sacraments and hierarchical ministry.
4. According to Scripture and Tradition Jesus entrusted Peter with a special ministry. Giving him the name Kepha (Rock), Jesus made him the head, the representative, and the spokesman of the twelve apostles. Peter and his successors are endowed with the ministry of unity in the universal level. In the Catholic Church this ministry of unity is exercised by the Bishop of Rome and in the Syrian Orthodox Church by the Patriarch of Antioch.
According to Syrian Orthodox Church the Patriarch of Antioch, as successor of Peter, is the visible symbol of unity and he represents the universal Syrian Orthodox Church.
The Petrine ministry is exercised by the Patriarch of Antioch only in consultation with the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Church.
According to the Catholic tradition, the Bishop of Rome (Pope) is the successor of Peter and has been entrusted with the Petrine ministry of unity in the whole Church.
5. The exercise of this ministry of unity was determined by many contingent historical factors during the course of centuries. The challenge today is to rediscover the very essence of the ministry of unity and to exercise it in response to the mission of the Church and the needs of our times.
6. In the beginning of this third millennium our Churches face the crucial responsibility of continuing and fulfilling the great ministry of Jesus Christ in this world, through rediscovering the original and real essence of episcopacy and primacy. The model of leadership that Jesus taught is summarized in love, self-sacrifice and service. The model for bishops and primates is none other than Jesus Christ himself, the Good Shepherd sent by God.
7. Since in the case of the faith of our two Churches there is little difference and is almost the same, the time has come to seek practical ways and means to materialize unity aiming at full communion between the two churches, which we all ardently desire.
MEMBERS PRESENT IN THE DIALOGUE
From Catholic Church
1. His Grace Mor Joseph Powathil
2. Most Rev. Dr. Marc Ouellet
3. Bishop Mar Mathew Moolekkattu
4. Bishop Joshua Mar Ignatius
5. Very. Rev. Msgr. Johan Bonny
6. Very Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha
7. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Chediath
8. Rev. Dr. Francis Pereparamil O.C.D
From Jacobit Syrian Orthodox Church
1. H.G. Joseph Mar Gregoriose Metropolitan
2. H.G. Markose Mar Koorilose Metropolitan
3. Very. Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob Corepiscopa
4. Rev. Fr. Shibu Chenan
5. Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil
6. Rev. Fr. James C.S.
7. Rev. Dr. Mani Rajan
8. Rev. Dn. Dr. Saji K. V.
9. Rev. Dn. Thomas Abraham
[Information Service 135 (2010/III-IV) 131-132]