JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2005 MEETING
Puthencruz, 5 December 2005
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its 10th meeting at the Patriarchal Center, Puthencruz, on December 5, 2005.
The Commission continued its reflection on the issue of the Church as Communion. Two papers were presented: the first on “Ecclesial Communion in the Historical Context of Today”, prepared by Fr. Shibu Cherian, and the second on “The First Millennium and the Oriental Orthodox Churches”, prepared by Msgr Johan Bonny. The Joint Commission members gave particular attention to the various models of communion which existed in the early centuries of Christianity, particularly between the Churches situated inside and those outside the Roman Empire. With regard to India and the St. Thomas Christians, the members agreed about their historic relationship with the Churches of the Syriac and Seleucian traditions in the Middle East, though this connection is understood in different ways by Catholics and Orthodox. They also reflected upon the urgency for the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches to grow in communion, particularly in the light of the mission of the Church. Only together will Catholic and Orthodox Christians be able to face the many challenges of modern society, particularly in the fields of family life, poverty and injustice, and regarding tendencies towards parochialism and fundamentalism.
Regarding the matter of common witness, the Joint Commission members agreed to organise some shared pastoral initiatives, particularly in connection with mixed marriages and Christian family life.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Theophilose (co-chair), Rev. Cor-Episcopa Adai Jacob (co-secretary); Fr. Shibu Cherian; Fr. Daniel Thattarayil; Fr. Thomas Abraham, Fr. Kuriakose Punnackatil, Deacon Jerry Kurian. The members of the Catholic delegation were: Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair); Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, Bishop Isaac Mar Cleemis (representing Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios); Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Francis Pereparambil; Fr. Antony Kackanattu; Msgr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). Major Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry and Bishop Patrick D’Souza could not attend the meeting.
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre in Kottayam on September 11th, 2006. Three major issues will be on the agenda: a further study on the historic relations between the Church in India and the other Churches of East and West; a further reflection on how the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church can move towards full communion, preserving the uniqueness of each tradition; the drafting and editing of an intermediary joint statement on the issue of “Episcopacy and Petrine Ministry”.
[Information Service 121 (2006/I) 15-16]