Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox dialogue

On 12–13 May 2026, the Executive Committee of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches convened at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome.

The Committee comprised the two Co-Chairs, Cardinal Kurt Koch and Bishop Kyrillos, and the two Co-Secretaries, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Fr Hyacinthe Destivelle OP, in accordance with the Commission's statutes. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Metropolitan Barnaba El Soryany, and Bishop Thomas Adly Zaky attended the meeting as observers.

As agreed at the 2024 Plenary Meeting, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the commission, two "family meetings" of the Catholic and Oriental Orthodox members were held in 2025 to draft reports evaluating the Commission's methodology and suggesting next steps for the dialogue.

Based on the "family reports", the Executive Committee drafted a joint report assessing the last 20 years of dialogue and suggesting future steps.

On Wednesday 13 May, the members of the Executive Committee attended the general audience and greeted Pope Leo XIV.