JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2001 MEETING
Mulanthuruthy, 14-16 October 2001
The Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its 6th meeting at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary of Mulanthuruthy (Ernakulam, Kerala), from October 14-16, 2001. As agreed upon during the preparatory meeting of 2000, three issues figured on the agenda: (1) an assessment of the agreements reached in the period between 1990 and 1994, particularly regarding mixed marriages; (2) a doctrinal study on the relation between episcopacy and petrine ministry; (3) a historical approach of our common heritage, as it developed and was lived during the pre-Portuguese period.
Firstly, a mainly positive evalutation was made of the practical application of the “Agreement between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church on Inter-Church Marriages” (IS 84, 1993, 159-160). Nevertheless, so as to promote a larger acquaintance and better understanding of this Agreement, the decision was made to publish again the full text of this Agreement, accompanied by a short commentary, in local Church publications or in a separate pamphlet.
Secondly, as to the relation between episcopacy and Petrine ministry, two papers were presented, one by Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob from the Orthodox side, and another one by Rev. Dr. Johan Bonny, from the Catholic side. Both delegations agreed that, according to Scripture and Tradition, Jesus entrusted Peter with a particular ministry. Giving him the name “Kepha”, Jesus made him the head, representative and spokesman of the Twelve. Peter and his successors were thus endowed with a particular ministry of unity on the universal level. Such a ministry is presently exercised in the Catholic Church by the Bishop of Rome, and in the Syrian Orthodox Church by the Patriarch of Antioch. Both delegations also acknowledged that the concrete exercise of this ministry of unity was determined by many contingent historical factors, in the past centuries. They expressed their hope that it might be possible to rediscover together the very essence of this ministry of unity and that its exercise may be renewed in response to the mission of the Church and the needs of our times.
Finally, regarding history, a paper was presented by Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil on the Common Heritage of the St. Thomas Christians in the pre-Diamper Period. At the core of this paper were the relations between the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala and Syrian Christianity, as witnessed in both written and unwritten sources. Even if they received bishops from the East-Syrian Church, the St. Thomas Christians in Kerala also had regular contacts with the West-Syrian Church, from the very early times till the Diamper period. This historical reading is of particular importance for the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, living in full canonical communion with the Patriarchate of Antioch.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation was composed of: H.G. Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Philexinos (co-chairman); H.G. Metropolitan Thomas Mar Themotheos; H.G. Metropolitan Joseph Mar Gregorios; Rev. Cor-Episcopa Adai Jacob (convenor and co-secretary); Rev. Cor-Episcopa Kuriakose Moolayil; Rev. Fr. George Mathew; Rev. Fr. George M. Vadath; Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil; Rev. Fr. Shibu Cherian; Rev. Fr. James C.S.; Rev. Fr. Eldho V.V.; Rev. Fr. Roy Chacko; Rev. Deacon Jerry Kurian. The participants from the Roman Catholic Church were: H.E. Bishop Marc Ouellet (co-chairman); H.E. Bishop Mar Kuriakose Kunnacherry; H.E. Bishop Mar George Punnakottil (representative of H.E. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil); H.E. Joshua Mar Ignathios (representative of H.E. Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios); Fr. Geevarghese Chediath; Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Francis Pereparambil; Fr. Johan Bonny (co-secretary). H.E. Bishop Patrick D’Souza, H.E. Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios and H.E. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil could not attend the meeting; the last two were participating in the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre of Kottayam, 13-15 October 2002. There will be one central issue on the agenda: The Petrine ministry in relation to the See of Rome and the See of Antioch. This theme will be considered from a historical and a theological perspective.
[Information Service 108 (2001/IV) 163-164]