JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2012 MEETING
Kottayam, 5 December 2012
The Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its meeting at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam, on Wednesday 5 December 2012. After a moment of prayer His Grace Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Co–Chairman of the Joint Commission, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Catholicos of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, extending a special welcome to His Grace Metropolitan Mar Anthimos as a new member of the Commission. His Grace expressed his gratitude that the bilateral dialogue had borne so many fruits, emphasizing also that Christian unity is related to mission and that the church as the body of Christ is called to bear witness. 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 the “Lord is leading all Christians in the same direction. We are grateful to be present for the dialogue. It is an honor and a grace to come here”. He informed the members about the Synod of Bishops that took place in Rome on the theme The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith, and also about the opening of the Year of Faith on Thursday 11 October at a Mass presided over by Pope Benedict XVI and attended by 14 surviving Fathers of the Second Vatican Council. The open-air Mass in St Peter’s Square also marked the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, and was attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He also mentioned that the PCPCU held its Plenary meeting on the theme The Significance of Ecumenism for the New Evangelisation. He congratulated His Grace Archbishop Powathil on the Golden Jubilee of his priestly ordination and the 40th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. His Grace Archbishop Powathil expressed words of welcome to the members of the Joint Commission, and especially to the new member His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem, His Grace Kuriakose Mor Eusebius, 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. Prince Mannathoor, Rev. Fr. Gerges 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. 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 6 December 2011, which the Commission approved with some corrections.
His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos presented a new publication that has been prepared in the context of The Year of Faith with the title: I believe, which comprises two parts: firstly, What is our faith? and, secondly, What are the challenges/trends in faith in the present day times?
Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparambil informed the members of the Commission about the continuation of the project of the translation of the ‘Penqitho prayers’. The translation work has been undertaken by Rev. Fr. Stephen Plathottam o.i.c. and Rev. Fr. Baby Varghese. All the prayers for the Feasts of our Lord and 32 Sundays have been already translated. They need to be corrected by experts in Syriac and English, which is a time-consuming task. They hope to present the work next year.
As proposed in the last meeting, His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos presented a paper on Mission in the Religious Pluralistic Society of India. The reflection afterwards took into account that India is a pluralistic country, and also focused on the question of the real nature of secularism. The Commission emphasized the ecclesial dimension of mission, as mission is the very nature of the Church.
Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal presented a summary of the Statement on Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church, formulated by the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. This document outlines aspects of fundamental ecclesiological principles that the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches share together. We can only be grateful that after almost fifteen hundred years of separation we still find agreement about the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the world. During the discussion the members identified issues requiring deeper reflection, including the Petrine Ministry. They expressed the importance of keeping the text available as a study document.
The next meeting will be held in the Patriarchal Centre of Puthencruz on Monday 16 December 2013. The following issues will be on the agenda: the Petrine Ministry according to the West Syrian liturgical tradition (presented by His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem); the Petrine Ministry according to the West Syrian patristic tradition (presented by Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil). His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell will present 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).