Dialogue with Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church
On Friday, 12 December, the 26th meeting of the Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church was held at the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary at Udayagiri, Vettickal, Kerala, India, co-chaired by Metropolitan Mor Theophilose Kuriakose and Archbishop Mathew Moolakkatt as Archbishop Flavio Pace was unable to attend.
As agreed at the last meeting in 2024 (see Report), the first part of the meeting was dedicated to surveying the outcomes of 30 years of Catholic-Malankara Syrian Orthodox dialogue, particularly with regard to the 1994 agreement on interchurch marriages (Rev. Greger R. Kollannoor, Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthan and Rev. Augustine Kadeparampil). Furthermore, some 'pastoral guidelines on ecumenical collaboration in pastoral care in universities and hospital chaplaincies' were presented and discussed (Rev. Philip Nelpuraparampil).
On the same day, Rev. Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle, Official of the DPCU and Co-Secretary of the Joint International Commission, paid a courtesy visit to His Beatitude Baselios Joseph, Catholicos of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, at his residence in Thrippunithura.
The Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church delegation comprised: His Grace Metropolitan Mor Theophilose Kuriakose (Co-Chair); His Grace Metropolitan Mor Anthimos Matthews; V. Rev. Dr. Adai Jacob Cor-Episcopa (Co-Secretary); V. Rev. Dr. Kuriakose Moolayil Cor-Episcopa; Rev. Fr. Daniel Thattarayil; Rev. Fr. Jerry Kurian; Rev. Fr. Greger R. Kollannoor; Rev. Fr. Biju P. M; Dayroyo Dr. Saliba; and Prof. Dr. Anish K. Joy (Communication Secretary).
The Catholic Church was represented by His Grace Mathew Moolakkatt (acting Co-Chair), His Grace Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, His Excellency Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, Revd Dr Jacob Thekeparampil, Revd Dr. Augustine Kadeparambil, Revd Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil, and Revd Fr. Hyacinthe Destivelle (Co-Secretary).