JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN 
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

REPORT OF THE 2016 MEETING

Kottayam, 12 December 2016

The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on Monday 12 December 2016.

After a moment of prayer led by Bishop Brian Farrell, His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil welcomed the delegates and expressed his gratitude for what the Commission has been able to produce in terms of common understanding, exchange of experiences and signing agreements. Referring to the different issues on the agenda, he wished all the members a fruitful meeting and in conclusion expressed the joy of being together and congratulated Bishop Farrell on the nomination to the cardinalate of his brother, Cardinal Kevin Farrell.

Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Co-Chairman of the Joint Commission, conveyed the Apostolic Blessings of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Ephrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and of His Beatitude Baselios Thomas I, Catholicos of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, emphasizing the need for Christian unity. His Grace expressed gratitude for 26 years of ecumenical journey, and for the many fruits we have been able to harvest in our ecclesial life. He expressed his gratitude for the commemoration of 500 years of the Reformation held in Lund, which had generated such enthusiasm, courage and spiritual strength. Finally, he concluded by referring to the many elements we have in common, the Apostolic faith and Petrine ministry, our faith and sacraments, and by inviting all the members to deepen our communion and spirituality.

Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Co-Chairman of the Commission, addressed the members in his introductory words, referring to the 25 Copts who were killed due to a terrible attack against a church in Cairo: “All of the martyrs belong to Christ and to all of us. We realize now that we share joy and sadness; we are rediscovering and deepening our brotherhood ”. Further, he described the important ecumenical events of the last year: the historical encounter between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Cuba. There was also the visit of Pope Francis to the Island of Lesbos together with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens to express his closeness and solidarity to the refugees, the citizens of Lesbos and to all the Greek people who have been so generous in welcoming them. Pope Francis visited Sweden for the Joint Commemoration of the Reformation on 31 October in Lund and Malmö. After 50 years of dialogue the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue Commission produced a new document entitled From Conflict to Communion – Together in Hope. In the Common Declaration it is affirmed that while we cannot change history, we can change the way we view historical events and look for ways to purify and to heal memory. At the 14th plenary session of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, which took place in Chieti from 15–22 September 2016, an agreed statement was reached on ‘Synodality and Primacy in the First Millennium. Towards a Common Understanding in Service to the Unity of the Church’. This document is a reflection on the issue of how synodality and primacy can work together. Finally, Bishop Farrell referred to the Common Statement with the Reformed Churches on Justification.

The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mor Anthimos Matthews, Revd Dr Adai Jacob Cor-Episcopa (Co-Secretary), Revd Dr Kuriakose Moolayil Cor-Episcopa, Revd Father Shibu Cherian, Revd Father Dr Prince Paulose, Revd Father Dr Aji George. The Catholic Church was represented by Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakatt, His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Excellency Bishop Dr Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Excellency Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Revd Dr Mathew Vellanickal, Revd Dr Xavier Koodapuzha, Revd Dr Jacob Thekkeparampil, Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil, Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil and Msgr. Gabriel Quicke (Co-Secretary).

Monsignor Gabriel Quicke (Co-Secretary of the Commission) presented the report of the meeting of the Commission of 14 December 2015, which the Commission approved (with some minor corrections).

Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil presented a paper on Pastoral Guidelines for Sharing in Prayer and Sacramental Life of the Church. In the subsequent discussion the need for a more detailed study was expressed, since the topic of the sacraments is a very sensitive matter. The necessity was confirmed on both sides to draft concrete pastoral guidelines between the Catholic Church and the Jacobite Church for pastors on the parish level. A subcommittee (comprising Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil, Revd Father Shibu Cherian and Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil) will work on preparing a draft on this.

Revd Father Dr Prince Paulose presented a paper entitled Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church’s Perspective on Particular Church, Local Church and Universal Church: Special Reference between Local Church and Universal Church. During the subsequent reflection it was stated that the terminology (e.g. the use of the terms ‘particular’ and ‘universal’) used in the documents of the Second Vatican Council is sometimes confusing and that the terminology used by the two Churches is sometimes different. It was concluded that it might be very fruitful for our dialogue to continue on the theme of the understanding of the Local-Universal Church.

Father Shibu Cherian presented a document on the Implementation of the Agreement on Mixed Marriages, focusing on the developments in the reception of the Agreement.

The next meeting will be held at the Patriarchal Centre at Puthencruz on Monday 11 December 2017. The following issues will be on the agenda.

Two papers will be presented on the Joint Pastoral Guidelines: one paper prepared by Father Shibu, another by Revd Dr Philip Nelpuraparampil and Revd Dr Augustine Kadeparambil.

The Church According to Saint Ephrem, will be prepared by Revd Dr Jacob Thekkeparampil.

The Communion of Churches in Catholic Perspective, will be prepared by Revd Dr Mathew Vellanickal.

The Syrian Orthodox Understanding of Local-Universal Church, will be prepared by Revd Dr Adai Jacob Cor-Episcopa.