JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MALANKARA (JACOBITE) SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2009 MEETING
Puthencruz, 15 December 2009
The Joint Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church held its 12th meeting at the Patriarchal Centre, Puthencruz, on December 15, 2009. Three issues figured on the agenda: (1) Sharing of sacred places and funerals; (2) Evaluation of agreements regarding mixed marriages and related pastoral guidelines; (3) Common witness with regard to ‘charismatic’ Pentecostal groups.
Firstly, the Joint commission discussed sharing of sacred places and funerals. The problem is that people do not always find a priest or a cemetery of their own Church for the funerals. Is there a possibility to create some common facilities? There is a real need in Kerala, but especially in the diaspora. The Commission suggested that a committee might prepare a draft document in which to include the jurisdictional and the practical aspects. This draft document can be finalized in the Commission and then presented to the respective Synods.
Thereafter a mainly positive evaluation 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 the full text of this Agreement in English and Malayalam, accompanied by a short commentary, in local Church publications or in a separate pamphlet.
Regarding common witness, the Joint Commission members presented the problems being experienced with Charismatic, Pentecostal groups. It is not easy to dialogue with the ‘evangelical groups’ because they are not in an ‘ecumenical forum’ and they have no hierarchy. The Joint Commission decided to prepare a paper on Pentecostals and Evangelicals.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Theophilose (co-chair), Metropolitan Thomas Mar Themotheos, Metropolitan Joseph Gregoriose, Metropolitan Mathew Aphrem; Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob (co-secretary); Fr. Shibu Cherian. The members of the Catholic delegation were: Bishop Brian Farrell (co-chair); Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil; Archbishop Mar Mathew Moolakatt; Archbishop Thomas Mar Koorilos; Fr. Xavier Koodapuzha; Fr. Mathew Vellanickal; Fr. Jacob Thekkeparampil; Fr. Fhilip Nelpura; Fr. Gabriel Quicke (co-secretary).
The next meeting is to be held at the Spirituality Centre in Kottayam on December 7th, 2010. Three major issues will be on the agenda: a study on Pentecostals and Evangelicals in India; the document on sharing of sacred places and funerals; a serious of studies on the issue of “Episcopacy and Petrine Ministry”.
The delegation members also had a meeting with His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I, who hosted the delegations in the Patriarcal Centre of Puthencruz.
[Information Service 133 (2010/I) 23]