JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2003 MEETING
Mulanthuruthy, 7 October 2003
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its 8th meeting at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary of Mulanthuruthy (Ernakulam, Kerala), on 7 October 2003. Two issues were on the agenda, related to (1) the nature of the Church, and (2) common witness.
Regarding ecclesiology, a paper was presented on Ecclesial Communion: a Biblical-Theological Perspective, by Fr. Mathew Vellanickal. The Joint Commission members agreed that communion in faith, sacramental life and Church leadership constitute the Ecclesial Communion we are aiming at. They also agreed that communion in faith, as lived and experienced in the Church, is necessarily related to hierarchical communion, the latter being at the service of ecclesial communion. Particular mention was also made of the Eucharist as the unique source of ecclesial communion in both its vertical and horizontal dimensions.
As to common witness, an assessment was made of the 1993 agreement on mixed marriages. The Joint Commission members discussed some pastoral questions related to the practical application of this agreement. They also decided to prepare a new publication of the agreement, possibly accompanied by a commentary, so as to inform clergy of this agreement, its purpose and its application.
The Joint Commission took note of some recent developments in relations between the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The delegations expressed their hope and prayer that, through brotherly dialogue, both bodies may be able to overcome their present difficulties.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation was composed of: Bishop Kuriakose Theophelos (co-chair), Rev. Cor-Episcopa Adai Jacob (convenor and co-secretary); Rev. Cor-Episcopa Kuriakose Moolayil; Rev. Fr. George M. Vadath; Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil; Rev. Fr. Shibu Cherian; Rev. Fr. Cherian Kottarpil, Dr. Thomas Abraham. The members of the Catholic delegation were: Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil (acting co-chair); Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry; Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios (representing Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios); Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Msgr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair), Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, Bishop Patrick D’Souza, Fr. Geevarghese Chediath and Fr. Francis Pereparambil could not attend the meeting.
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre of Kottayam, 11-12 October 2004. Four papers will be prepared, related to Ecclesial Communion: (1) Degrees of Communion. Hierarchy of Truth; (2) Ecumenical Perspectives on Communion; (3) Biblical and Theological Understanding of Communion; (4) Communion and Primacy (first draft of a comprehensive statement).
[Information Service1114 (2003/IV) 195]