Catholic-Orthodox dialogue begins in Kochi

It seeks to emphasize that communion in worship and sacraments is multi-faceted and multi-layered.

The Ninth Meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches

Kochi:  A week-long International Dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and the Roman Catholic church will be held at Pampakuda near Kochi from Monday.

Thirty five delegates from the Oriental Orthodox churches of Egypt, Armenia, Malankara, Syria, Ethiopia and the Roman Catholic church will engage in a theological dialogue to discuss issues like ecclesiology, episcopacy, apostolic succession, the relevance and important of the Ecumenical Councils, the church and its mission, Metropolitan Dr Gabriel Gregorios told reporters in Kochi.


Last year, the conference was held in Rome and in 2012 at Ethiopia.

This is the first time it is being held in India, he said.

This year's dialogue will discuss the relevance of the nature and communion of the United and Undivided Apostolic church that existed till 5th century in the present day churches, Gregorios said.

The dialogue also seeks to emphasize that communion in worship and sacraments is multi-faceted and multi-layered; hence putting the onus on the churches to realize this aim.

Seminar papers relating to the Anaphora and Liturgy, Pilgrimage would be presented by eminent scholars, he said.

Delegates from various countries, including Egypt, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Italy, America, Armenia, Germany and Israel are expected to participate.

Gabriel Gregorios, Metropolitan Dr Yuhanon Demetrius and Father Mathew Vellanickal are the delegates from India in the dialogue.

Source: business-standard