20100130

HIS HOLINESS BASILILIOS MAR THOMA DIDMOS I, PATRIARCH OF THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH INVITES HIS HOLINESS ARAM I TO INDIA




ANTELIAS, 01-29-2010: His Holiness Aram I has been holding private meetings with the representatives of the churches taking part in the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

On Friday 29 January 2010, he met with Arch Bishop Gabriel Mar Gregorios and Mathew Velanikal of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

The Arch Bishop transmitted the brotherly love of their Patriarch, briefed Catholicos Aram on the latest developments in their Church and handed a letter from Catholicos Didmos I inviting His Holiness Aram I to visit India.

After thanking the Catholicos for the invitation, His Holiness Aram I and the guests discussed relations between the two sister churches.

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20100128

"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES" - ARAM I




Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the church.


Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:


1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism. According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.





2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s, and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.


3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.


4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its relevance and credibility.




5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness Aram I.

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20100127

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND CARDINAL WALTER KASPER MEET IN ANTELIAS


ANTELIAS- On Wednesday 27 January 2010, His Holiness Aram I and H.E. Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, held a private meeting within the context of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Among other issues they discussed the contribution of bilateral theological dialogues to ecumenical relations.

The meeting will be concluded on Sunday 31 January with the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral where the Cardinal will preach.

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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE COMMISSION VISIT THE PRESIDENT OF LEBANON



ANTELIAS- On Wednesday 27 January the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, currently meeting in Antelias, visited the President H.E. Michel Suleiman. After introducing the members of the delegation to the President, His Holiness Aram I explained the purpose of the commission and the importance of its work in promoting ecumenical relations.



The President welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation of their work. He then spoke briefly about the political situation in Lebanon and the region. At the end of the visit, the delegates thanked the President and hoped that the unity government will bring peace to the country.

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20100125

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE PATRIARCH OF ETHIOPIA


ANTELIAS- Upon hearing the sad news of the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines taking off from Beirut, Catholicos Aram wrote to Abuna Paulus, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church expressing his sorrow for the sad event. In his letter he asked the Patriarch to assure the authorities and the families of the victims of his prayers, and that he beseeched the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONGRATULATES HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH IRINEJ OF SERBIA



ANTELIAS- In a letter addressed to His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, who was installed on 23 January 2010, Catholicos Aram I expressed his good wishes and hoped that relations between the two churches and ecumenical relations are strengthened under his spiritual leadership.

THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES

ANTELIAS HOSTS THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES


ANTELIAS- Upon the invitation of His Holiness Aram I, the Commission will meet in Antelias 26-31 January 2010. Delegates appointed by the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia represent the Armenian Church on this Commission. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese in USA, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer are the representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia.

The Commission will discuss the role of Ecumenical Councils in the Early Church. On Sunday, 31 January during the closing Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, His Excellency Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will give the sermon.