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FIRST SESSION OF DIALOGUE

PRESS RELEASE
Rome, 22-24 November 1995

 

The Common Christological Declaration signed on 11 November 1994 by Pope John Paul II and the Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, provided for the creation of a Mixed Committee for theological dia­logue between the Catholic Church and the Assyr­ian Church of the East, in order to "dispel the obstacles of the past which still prevent the attain­ment of full communion between our Churches". This Committee met for the first time in Rome, from 22 to 24 November 1995. All its members were present.

1. In an atmosphere of warm fraternity and mutual understanding, the Committee approached the subject of the sacraments in general and of the Eucharist in particular. Two papers were presented:

The sacraments and the Church (Bishop Audo) and The sacrament of the Eucharist (Msgr. Jammo). The Assyrian delegation answered in writing to the two papers which were discussed later.

Even though, for historical reasons, the formula­tion of sacramental theology has developed differently in each of our Churches, the members of the Committee could note only the unanimity of the two Churches in their understanding of the sacraments, and very specially, the central place of the Eucharist in the life of both Churches.

2. The Committee next set an agenda for theolog­ical reflection and for joint pastoral activities in the future, with a view to gradual re-establishment of full visible communion between our two Churches. In the immediate future, the possibility was considered of creating a sub-commission for the drafting of cate­chetical texts.

3. The members of the Committee also exchanged information concerning the developments following from the Common Christological Declaration. It was with great joy that they learned of its favourable reception by both the Assyrian and the Catholic faith­ful and on the part of leaders of the other Churches; it had even made possible the admission of the Assyr­ian Church of the East as full member of the Middle East Council of Churches. The Committee can there­fore only give still greater encouragement to the development of these links and of practical collaboration, especially where the faithful of our two Churches are living side by side. It is convinced that serious theological reflection must be accompanied at one and the same time by genuinely fraternal rela­tions, by fervent prayer and by sincere and disinterested cooperation.          ·

4. On the occasion of this first meeting, His Holiness Pope John Paul II desired to receive the members of the Committee in audience. In his Address, the Holy Father first asked the Assyrian delegates "to transmit to His Holiness the Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV, as well as to the other members of the Holy Synod and to the priests, his fraternal greetings and his warmest wishes for their delicate pastoral mission to the faithful scattered throughout the whole world". He then added: "May the Holy Spirit guide your labours, so that they may bring closer the day when together we shall be able to celebrate the Eucharist" (cf. "L’Osservatore Roma­no", 25.11.1995).

5. The second meeting of the Mixed Committee has been set to be held from 3 to 5 October 1996 in Beirut (Lebanon). Continuing the rediscovery of our profound communion in faith and sacraments, it was decided to undertake at this next meeting the study of marriage and the anointing of the sick.