JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

REPORT OF THE 2011 MEETING

Puthencruz, 6 December 2011

The meeting of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara (Jacobite) Syrian Orthodox Church was held at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthencruz in India, on 6 December 2011. The meeting began at 10.30 a.m. with the ‘Jesus Prayer’ in the Syriac tradition, led by His Grace Joseph Mor Gregorios. His Grace, Kuriakose Mor Theophilose, Co Chairman of the Joint Commission, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. “It is important to have bilateral dialogue though we have the official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and the Catholic Church are in nearly full communion and the ecclesiological differences are very small. The agreements so far reached are the expressions of the existing communion between the Churches. The fruits of our dialogue have to reach our faithful” he exhorted.

In his words of blessings, His Beatitude Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I Catholicos, spoke in appreciation of the work of the Joint International Commission and spoke of the importance of ecumenism in the divided world. “ We are divided by accident, and therefore we have to pray and work for full communion… The fruits of our dialogue, the agreements so far reached, especially the agreement on mixed marriage is very important to the Churches” the Catholicos pointed out. As the head and father of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church he also welcomed the delegates. His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and co-Chairman of the Commission, reminded the members in his introductory words of the historical encounter of blessed Pope John Paul II and the Catholicos Baseliose Paulose of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the initiative that led to the first meeting of the Commission, recalling that 2011 was the Jubilee year of that very important encounter that initiated the present dialogue. He also reflected that the Second Vatican Council introduced important changes in the Church, especially in the ecumenical sphere, such as our rediscovered brotherhood in baptism, and that we would be celebrating the golden jubilee of that great event.

His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos, co-Chairman, His Grace Joseph Mor Gregorios, His Grace Kuriakose Mor Eusebius, His Grace Mathews Mor Aphrem, His Grace Geevarghese Mor Coorilose, Rev. Dr. Addai Jacob Cor Episcopa, co-Secretary, Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Moolayil Cor Episcopa, Rev. Fr. Shibu Cherian, Rev. Dr. Jomy Joseph and Rev. Dn. Anish K. Joy represented the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. 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, Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal, Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil, Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil and Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke.

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, co-Secretary of the Commission presented the report of the meeting of the Commission on 7 December 2010, which the Commission approved. The document of the agreement on the sharing of sacred places that was reached in the last meeting was approved by the Synod of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council. The agreement was signed by H.B Aboon Mor Baselios Mar Thomas I and His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. This agreement on the sharing of sacred places, such as church buildings and cemeteries aims at establishing closer ties between the Churches. Furthermore, the agreement makes provision for the funeral of the members of these Churches, to be presided over by the priest of the other Church, if one is not able to find a priest of one’s own Church. Rev.

Dr. Addai Jacob, co-Secretary of the Commission, presented the Malayalam translation of the Joint Statement on Episcopacy and Petrine Ministry. The meeting approved it for publication after a few corrections and modifications.

As proposed in the last meeting, His Grace Thomas Mar Koorilos presented a study paper on ‘Episcopal Churches and Pentecostal Movements’, which was discussed during the meeting. The reasons underlying the Page 1 of 2 increasing influence of the Pentecostal Movement were analyzed, and practical and pastoral solutions were proposed by the Commission. The Commission proposed to establish a Sub-committee consisting of Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos and Mathews Mar Aphrem to study the issue and to develop a draft of a practical joint pastoral plan such as publishing pamphlets, pastoral letters etc., which will be circulated among the members before publication.

Rev. Dr. Addai Jacob informed the Commission of the list of theological papers discussed so far in our dialogue meetings and the agreements reached so far. He will circulate the list among the members to verify with others and publish it before the next meeting.

Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparambil presented a detailed report of the project of translation of the ‘Penqitho prayers’. A portion of the work has already been translated and the remaining part will be translated soon. The translation represents a significant joint ecumenical venture.

The Commission discussed future planning and proposed a joint study of the topic: ‘Nature and Mission of the Church’. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mor Coorilos will present a paper on this topic at the next meeting. The Commission also proposed the possibility of developing its work as a forum for shared witness in social issues and of discussing topics like ‘Mission of the Churches in Pluralistic Society’, which will be presented by His Grace Kuriakose Mor Theophilos and Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal.

The next meeting will be held at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam on Tuesday 4 December 2012.

[Information Service 138 (2010/IV) 88-89]