JOINT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2024 MEETING
Manganam, Spirituality Centre, Kottayam, 12 December 2024
The 25th meeting of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church was held at the Manganam Spirituality Centre in Kottayam on Thursday 12th December 2024.
The meeting began with the prayer led by His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt. In his welcome address, His Excellency Archbishop Flavio Pace, the new Catholic Co-Chair of the Commission, conveyed the best wishes of His Holiness Pope Francis and of His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, and paid tribute to the work of his predecessor, Bishop Brian Farrell. Archbishop Pace also extended his condolences on the passing away of His Beatitude Catholicos Mor Baselios Thomas I, and congratulated the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church on the election of its new Catholicos, His Beatitude Mor Gregorious Joseph, Malankara Metropolitan.
His Grace Dr Mor Theophilose Kuriakose Metropolitan, Co-Chair, expressed his gratitude for Bishop Brian Farrell's contribution to the dialogue and welcomed Archbishop Flavio Pace. In outlining the current situation of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Mor Theophilose Kuriakose also highlighted the emergence of a new ecumenical paradigm marked by phenomena such as the change in traditional values, the questioning of notions of truth and unity, and the decreasing attention paid to theology. In this context, the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, marked by its pastoral dimension, must also maintain an important focus on theology, all the more so since the international theological dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox Churches is going through a delicate phase and the year 2025 will mark the anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
The 2023 Report was read by Revd Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle, Catholic Co-Secretary, and approved by the Commission. As planned at the last meeting, the session continued with the reading and discussion of three papers. Professor Dr. Anish K. Joy presented a paper on “Ecumenical Collaboration in the Digital World for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry”, emphasizing that the digital world can become a powerful tool for Church renewal, enabling youth to engage deeply with their faith and with one another, crossing confessional boundaries. The discussion that followed the presentation highlighted in particular the need for ecumenical cooperation in the digital field at the local level.
Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparambil then presented comprehensive “Pastoral Guidelines for Ecumenical Collaboration in Pastoral Care in University and Hospital Chaplaincies”, proposing joint initiatives to address the challenges of faith formation and pastoral care in different contexts. The members of the commission expressed their appreciation for the project and suggested some improvements. It is proposed that this draft be submitted to the ecclesial authorities for suggestions and approval, and to translate it into Malayalam.
Rev. Fr. Jerry Kurian presented a paper entitled “Theological and Pastoral Challenges raised by Migration in Kerala” emphasizing adaptive pastoral care for migrant communities. Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparambil complemented with “Migration and Its Effects in the Kerala Churches: Theological and Pastoral Study” providing demographic insights and practical responses.
At the end of the morning session of the dialogue, a memorial prayer in the Syriac rite, led by His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilose, was held in the Chapel of the Spirituality Centre in honor of the late Catholicos His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I.
After discussion, it was decided that the next meeting, to be held on Friday 12 December 2025 at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary at Udayagiri, Vettickal, will have the following items on the agenda:
1. Finalization of “Pastoral Guidelines on ecumenical collaboration in pastoral care in universities and in hospital chaplaincies”, to be submitted by Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil after the approval from the Church authorities.
2. Survey of the reception at grassroot level of the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, based on case studies, by Bishop Dr Selvister Ponnumuthan, Rev. Dr Augustine Kadeparambil, and Rev. Fr. Greger R. Kollannoor.
3. Paper on the relevance for today’s life of the First ecumenical council, by Rev. Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil.
4. Coordination of an inter-church celebration with participation from youth members of both churches, by Rev. Fr. Biju P. M.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation was composed of His Eminence Dr Mor Theophilose Kuriakose Metropolitan (Co-Chair), His Eminence Dr Mor Anthimos Matthews Metropolitan, V. Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob Cor-Episcopa (Co-Secretary), V. Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Moolayil Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil, Rev. Fr. Jerry Kurian, Rev. Fr. Greger R. Kollannoor, Rev. Fr. Biju P. M, Dayroyo Dr. Saliba, Professor Dr. Anish K. Joy (Communication Secretary).
The Catholic Church was represented by His Excellency Archbishop Flavio Pace (Co-Chair), His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilose, His Excellency Bishop Dr Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Rev Dr Jacob Thekkeparambil, Rev Dr Augustine Kadeparambil, Rev Dr Philip Nelpuraparambil, and Rev Father Hyacinthe Destivelle (Co-Secretary).