JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2013 MEETING
Puthencruz, 16 December 2013
The Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its meeting in the Patriarchal Centre of Puthencruz on Monday 16 December 2013.
After a moment of prayer, His Grace Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Co-Chairman of the Joint Commission, welcomed the delegates. His Grace expressed gratitude that we are called to participate in the prayer of Jesus ‘that all may be one’. “By the grace of God the wounds of separation could be healed, we could overcome many obstacles”, he reflected on many important steps that have been taken: the informal dialogue with Pro Oriente that started in 1971, the Common Declaration on Christology of Pope Paul VI and Mor Ignatius Jacob III, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch (27 October 1971), the Common Declaration on Christology and sacramental theology of Pope John Paul II and Mor Zakka I Iwas, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch (23 June 1984), the Common Agreement of the Holy See of Rome and the Holy See of Antioch on Inter-Church marriages and pastoral guidelines (25 January 1994). The Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches issued in 2009 the common text entitled Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church, outlines fundamental ecclesiological principles that we share. Finally His Grace concluded: “Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us to walk together”.
The Catholicos of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Thomas I, greeted and blessed the Commission, reflecting that “only prayer can bring harmony and peace”. He asked to pray for the two bishops, kidnapped in Syria and for a solution to the problems in that country. He expressed condolence and closeness in prayer for Syria, for all those who are persecuted in the Middle East. They are in the same situation as the first persecuted disciples of Christ. Finally the Catholicos emphasized the importance of the meeting of ecumenical dialogue. “This day of the meeting is a day that God gave to us”.
His Excellency 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, reflecting that we are very close to all those who are suffering, especially the two bishops and the sisters of Malaalula. Mar Gregorios was a frequent presence in Rome, lastly for the Synod of Bishops. Bishop Paul Yazihi had studied in Rome, and maintained regular contact with the Pontifical Council as rector of Balamand. Bishop Farrell recalled the events in the Catholic Church since the last meeting. Pope Benedict resigned to lead a life of prayer, meditation and writing. The new Pope Francis gave his full support to ecumenism on the day after his inauguration, receiving the fraternal delegates. Deeply united in prayer for Christian unity, he said: “Yes, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all feel closely united to the prayer of our Saviour at the Last Supper, to his appeal: ut unum sint. Let us ask the Father of mercies to enable us to live fully the faith graciously bestowed upon us on the day of our Baptism and to bear witness to it freely, joyfully and courageously. This will be the best service we can offer to the cause of Christian unity, a service of hope for a world still torn by divisions, conflicts and rivalries. The more we are faithful to his will, in our thoughts, words and actions, the more we will progress, really and substantially, towards unity. For my part, I wish to assure you that, in continuity with my predecessors, it is my firm intention to pursue the path of ecumenical dialogue, and I thank the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity for the help that it continues to provide, in my name, in the service of this most noble cause… and I beg of you the charity of a special prayer for me, that I may be a pastor according to the heart of Christ”. Bishop Farrell welcomed especially the new member, Father Augustine Kadeparambil. He congratulated His Grace Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Co-Chairman of the Joint Commission, on the 10th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. His Grace Archbishop Powathil expressed words of gratitude for the ecumenical commitment of the Commission in the hope that we can take further steps forward.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos (Co-Chairman), His Grace Joseph Mar Gregorios, His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem, His Grace Mathews Mor Anthimos, Rev. Dr. Addai Jacob Cor-Episcopa (Co-Secretary), Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Moolayil Cor-Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Shibu Cherian, Rev. Fr. Dr. Prince Paulose, Rev. Fr. Greger R. Kollanoor. The Catholic Church was represented by His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakatt, His Grace Mar Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Excellency Bishop Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal, Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil, Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil and Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke (Co-Secretary).
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke (Co-Secretary of the Commission) presented the report of the meeting of the Commission on 5 December 2012, which the Commission approved.
His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem presented a paper on the Petrine Ministry according to the West Syrian liturgical tradition. The reflection afterwards took into account the outlook of the Jacobite Church on the Petrine ministry and focused on the fact that the Petrine ministry or authority must be considered as a ministry of service and love and that the apostle Peter cannot be isolated from the other apostles. Primacy and collegiality are complementary. The Commission considered the need to deepen the references to the Petrine ministry in the liturgical tradition and to study how the Petrine ministry might be exercised in a way acceptable to all.
Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparambil presented a paper on the Petrine Ministry according to the West Syrian patristic tradition: ‘The apostle Simon in the works of St. Ephrem and Mor Jacob of Sarug’. In his conclusion he said that St. Ephrem and Mor Jacob of Sarug express ‘a sort of pre-eminence of Simon the apostle. They are however silent with regard to Simon’s successors and their primatial role’. Simon’s blessing does not diminish the role of the other disciples. The Commission emphasized the importance of studying the patristic tradition which offers a common ground before the beginning of discussion on juridical structures in the church.
His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell presented a document from the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, entitled: Steps Towards A Reunited Church: A Sketch Of An Orthodox-Catholic Vision For The Future (Saturday, October 2, 2010). In a introduction he defined the document as a stimulus to our own thinking, and the way in which our churches can move together in a real and concrete way. Further Bishop Farrell referred to the process of dialogue between the Catholics and the Orthodox. The text of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation takes the Ravenna-document and tries to see how the churches can continue. It is a hopeful vision and a dream for the future in universal brotherhood, synodality, the fact that we are called to recognize each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. In the commentary afterward it was confirmed that the text is at once theoretical and practical. This text requires prayer and sacrifice and calls for a further development of ecclesiology.
At the end of the meeting the Catholicos expressed his gratitude saying that “It is a great joy to be here, united in the name of the Lord. May God help us to continue our endeavour for a visible unity. I offer my greetings to Pope Francis and request prayers”.
Regarding future plans the Commission agreed to organize a Symposium at the local level reflecting on the Petrine ministry, on the liturgical tradition and how the Petrine ministry can be exercised. A Subcommittee, composed of two secretaries together with Archbishop Powathil, will prepare it. The result of that Symposium may be very helpful for the continuing work of the Commission.
The next meeting will be held at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on Wednesday 3 December 2014. The following issues will be on the agenda: The Petrine ministry in the Latin liturgical tradition presented by Rev. Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, and the Petrine Ministry in the Syrian liturgical tradition presented by Rev Dr. Pauly Maniyatty. His Grace Mor Aphrem and His Grace Mor Anthimos will present a reflection on how the Oriental Orthodox Churches see the document from the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, entitled: Steps Towards A Reunited Church.