20100226

Strengthen ecumenical movement: Catholicos Aram I



The Hindu Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM: Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has stressed the importance of the ecumenical movement in the 21st Century.
Delivering his keynote address at the ecumenical meet held at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday, the Catholicos reiterated his admiration for the multi-cultural and multi-religious society in India which has championed the cause of unity in diversity.


The Catholicos also recalled the contributions made by eminent scholars including the late Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios and M.M. Thomas to the world ecumenical movement.


Catholicos-designate Paulos Mar Milithios of the Orthodox Church presided. Bishop Zacharias Mar Theophilos, Suffragan Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church inaugurated the function. CSI Bishop Thomas Samuel delivered the benedictory address.

Catholicos Aram I and Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will jointly offer prayers on Friday at Devalokam .



Source: The Hindu Friday, Feb 26, 2010

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

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"THE CHURCHES OF INDIA PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT" - HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

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Kochi : "The ecumenical movement owes a great deal to the churches of India. With their theological input, active participations in ecumenical discussions, and firm commitment to the ecumenical vision they played a significant role in the formation and expansion of the ecumenical movement", said His Holiness Aram I on his arrival to Cochin, India, on Wednesday 24 February.

Speaking about his visit to India, Aram I said that although he is invited by His Holiness Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Didymos I of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church, he considers his visit ecumenical: "Ecumenism is not out there; it is a local reality. We must be ecumenical primarily on the local level. How can the churches manifest concretely the ecumenical spirit through joint ventures, by sharing their joy and problems, and addressing together common concerns? This must become a permanent concern and challenge for the churches" according to Aram I.

In response to a question regarding the prevailing conflict within the Indian Orthodox Church, Catholicos Aram I said that "he has not come to India with a mission of reconciliation". He also added that "he cannot remain indifferent in view of the division in the same church. Working for unity and reconciliation is at the heart of Christian vocation".

His Holiness stressed the vital importance of interreligious dialogue. In his view, "interreligious dialogue is no more an academic exercise, it is integral to our daily life in this globalized world. India is a model of a pluralist society in which dialogue is an existential reality. Hence, we must take this dimension of Christian life and witness very seriously". His Holiness, who has a rich experience in the area of interreligious dialogue, pointed out that Indian theologians have brought, out of their concrete experiences, a significant contribution to many initiatives of dialogue on the global level.

The visitation program of Aram I will include meetings with the leaderships of the churches of India, meeting with the holy synod of the Indian Orthodox Church, public lectures on ecumenical topics and visits to the churches and church-related institutions.

His Holiness is accompanied by H.E. Arch. Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.E. Nareg Alrmezian, Ecumenical officer, and his secretary V. Rev. Mesrob Sarkissian.

Armenian Orthodox Church. Org

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20100225

Visit of the Pontiff of All Armenians to Jerusalem

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Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: From February 15-16, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians paid a pontifical visit to Jerusalem. Upon arrival at the Ben Gurion International Airport of Tel Aviv, His Holiness and the pontifical delegation were met by members of the Brotherhood of St. James (Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem), Israeli authorities and representatives of the Armenian Community.



After a prayer service in the Chapel of St. Jacob, the Pontiff of All Armenians extended his blessings to the clergy, students of the St. Tarkmanchatz School and the faithful in attendance.


In the evening, the members of the St. James Brotherhood, led by the Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the 20th anniversary of Enthronement, 70th anniversary of priesthood and 91st birthday of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Representatives from the Coptic, Latin and Greek Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem participated in the celebration.



During the celebration, a decree was read from the President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian, awarding His Beatitude the Medal of St. Mesrop Mashtots. His Holiness extended his blessings and appreciation to the commendable Patriarch and bestowed on him the medal.



On February 16 the Catholicos of All Armenians presided over a meeting of the Patriarchate. The Brotherhood members discussed issues concerning the preservation and management of the Armenian properties in the Holy Land as well as other challenges facing the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.


His Holiness and the members of his delegation visited the Church of the Holy Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to bow and renew their oaths in front of the Lord’s Sepulchre.



Accompanying His Holiness to Jerusalem were: His Eminence Archbishop Datev Gharibian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Brazil, His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Argentina, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Inter-church Relations Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Eminence Archbishop Navasard Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See and Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumian as Staff-Bearer to His Holiness.


Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services Feb 17, 2010

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Indian legacy testimony to religious harmony: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I



Catholicos Aram I and entourage on week-long visit to State


KOTTAYAM: His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who is on a week-long visit to the State, has commended that the Indian legacy was testimony to inter-religious and inter-community cooperation and harmony.


The pontiff, who arrived at Devalokam, the headquarters of the Malanakra Orthodox Syrian Church on Wednesday evening, was welcomed by His Holiness Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church.


All the Metropolitans of the Orthodox Church, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil of the Syro-Malabar Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Thomas Samuel of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese, Yooyakim Mar Koorilos of the Kottayam diocese of Mar Thoma Church of Malabar, Joseph M. Puthusseri, MLA, and others were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Catholicos Aram I and his entourage who arrived at the Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery ( Kochi), were received by Catholicos designate of the Orthodox Church Paulos Mar Milithios and other s church dignitaries.


Ecumenical meet

The pontiff will address the ecumenical conference at the Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Thursday. Catholicos Aram I, founder of the World Religions for Peace movement, will speak on the Relevance of Ecumenical Movement in the 21st Century.

Source: The Hindu

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in

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20100224

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at Kochi



Kochi : His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church arrived in Nedumbassery, Kerala at 8:00Am on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 with his delegation comprised of H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, and Rev. Fr. Mesroh Sarikissian Secretary to the Catholicos.


He was welcomed by H.B. Paulos Mar Milithios Metropolitan, Catholicos Designate, H.G. Gabriel Mar Gregorios Metropolitan, President of Department of Ecumenical Relations, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Meletius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Mathews Mar Severios Metropolitan, H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos Metropolitan, H.G. Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios Metropolitan, H.G. Yuhanon Mar Polycarpos Metropolitan, Fr. Dr. Johns Abraham Konat, Priest Trustee, Sri M.G. George Muthoot, Lay Trustee, Sri. George Joseph, Association Secretary, and many priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

H. H. Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Malankara as per the invitation of H. H. Baselius Marthoma Didymus I, from 24th to 28th Feb 2010. Reception and Ecumenical Meeting at Orthodox Seminary.



Source: Malankara Orthodox.T V

Photo: Malankara Orthodox Church.in


Programme: 1 2


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HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH IN INDIA

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ANTELIAS: On Tuesday 23 February 2010, His Holiness Aram I left for India today in response to the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, the supreme head of the Orthodox Church of the East. His Holiness is accompanied by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran (Iran), Bishop Nareg Alemizian (Ecumenical Officer) and Father Mesrob Sarkissian (Staff-Bearer).



While in India he will meet with Heads of Churches and other Communities. His Holiness will also lecture at the Kottayam Orthodox Theological Seminary and address clergy, theologians and academics in different institutions that he will be visiting.



On his way back Catholicos Aram will visit the United Arab Emirates and meet with Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharja.



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20100208

Patriarch His Holiness Aram I to Visit Malankara

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DEVALOKAM: His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the head of the Catholicosate of Cilicia will pay an apostolic visit to Kerala as per the invitation of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church from 24th to 28th Feb 2010.

His Holiness Aram I, the head of one of the ancient oriental orthodox churches founded in the latter half of the 1st centaury, was elected twice as the moderator of World Council of Churches. His Holiness is well known as a spokesperson for world peace and interchurch and inter-religious amity.
H. H. is the President of the World Religions for Peace and the World Religions Museum Foundation.

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20100201

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

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REPORT

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

Antelias, Lebanon, January 27 to 31, 2010


The seventh meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, from January 27 to 31, 2010. The meeting was graciously hosted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. It was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.


Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. No representative of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was able to attend.


The two delegations met separately on January 27, and held plenary sessions each day from January 28 to January 30. Each day of the plenary sessions began with a common celebration of Morning Prayer. At its initial session, the members of the Joint Commission considered reactions to and evaluations of the agreed statement that it had issued one year earlier, “Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church.” This document had been approved for publication by the Joint Commission and is now being considered by the authorities of their churches.


The studies prepared for this session focused on two topics: the ways in which the churches expressed their communion with one another in the first five centuries and the reception of councils. The papers presented included “Ecclesial Communion in Armenia and Surrounding Regions” by Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, “The Order of Reception of the Ecumenical Councils in the Armenian Church and their Relation to the Other Local Councils” by Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, “How Churches Understood the Reception of the Ecumenical Councils, How Churches Expressed their Communion in the First Five Centuries, and Whether Rome Was Given Any Special Role. From the Perspective of the Coptic Orthodox Church” by Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, “Communion and Councils: The Persian Church in the First Five Centuries” by Professor Dietmar W. Winkler, “Exercise of Communion in the Church of St. Thomas Christians in India” by Rev. Fr. Matthew Vellanickal, and “The Reception of the Three Ecumenical Councils by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church” by Rev. Fr. John Matthews.


During the course of the meeting, which took place in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the members carefully examined the papers presented and reached a number of conclusions. It was noted that until the middle of the fifth century, the churches did not exist in isolation, but were in communion with one other. Signs of this communion included the exchange of synodical letters and letters of enthronement, the veneration of common saints, the exchange of visits and, above all, sharing in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. This communion was based on an understanding that the churches shared the same faith, and willingness to defend it together against heresies and other threats. They also saw themselves as engaged in the same mission of evangelizing the nations. This was often a “horizontal communion” where churches were most intensely in relation to neighboring churches in the same region, but also with other churches throughout the world.


On the morning of January 27, the members of the Joint Commission, together with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, paid a visit to His Excellency Michel Sleiman, the President of Lebanon, in the Presidential Palace at Baabda. The President welcomed the delegation to his country and presented his condolences to the representatives of the Ethiopian Church over the crash of an Ethiopian airplane near Beirut on Monday, January 25. In his remarks, the President observed that recent events had illustrated the importance of including minorities in the political life of nations. He said that Lebanon is an example of this political inclusiveness since the constitution gives all the country’s ethnic and religious communities a political role whatever their numerical size. He also emphasized the need to organize capitalism in democratic countries in a way that protects the interests of minorities, especially the poor and the vulnerable.


On the evening of the same day, the Joint Commission members were received by His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Church, at the patriarchate in Bkerké. During an ecumenical prayer service in the patriarchal chapel, the Patriarch extended a warm welcome to his guests, and spoke highly of the agreed statement finalized by the Joint Commission in January 2009. This text, the Patriarch stated, “presents the ecclesiological tradition common to all those churches, a tradition which remained plentiful and sound, in spite of 1500 years of separation.” He also spoke of the positive ecumenical relations that exist among the churches of Lebanon, and wished the members great success in their meeting, which he saw as a sign of encouragement and hope. After the prayer service, His Beatitude hosted a dinner for the Joint Commission members and the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon.


On the morning of January 28, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I received the members of the Joint Commission. In his remarks, the Catholicos offered his views on the present state of ecumenism, and said that he has come to a renewed appreciation of the work of the bilateral dialogues. He had studied the 2009 agreed statement carefully and appreciated it very much. His Holiness said that in the dialogues the members must never loose sight of the many things we have in common, and not focus exclusively on our differences. He was critical of a tendency of some ecumenical circles to divert their attention to more social issues. He expressed the hope that the Joint International Commission would endeavor to bring about visible unity of the Church, an objective that he as Moderator of the World Council of Churches had worked to achieve. After meeting the Catholicos, the group prayed at the memorial to the Armenian genocide of 1915 on the grounds of the Catholicosate. On the evening of the same day, the Catholicos hosted an official dinner at the Catholicosate that was attended by the spiritual heads of Christian communities in Lebanon, Armenian members of the Lebanese government and parliament, and Brotherhood and Central Executive Council members of the Holy See of Cilicia.


On January 29, the co-chairmen held a press conference at the invitation of Bishop Beshara Raï, the President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications. It took place at the Catholic Information Center, which is under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, introduced the co-chairmen, and highlighted that “the presence in Lebanon of our brothers from the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches is an occasion of spiritual joy and a sign of solidarity with our churches in the Middle East.” Cardinal Kasper spoke of the importance of the participation of the faithful in the dialogue because the unity of the Church concerns the whole people of God and not theologians alone. Metropolitan Bishoy described the history of the composition of the Joint Commission from the preparatory meeting in 2003 until this seventh meeting. He added that the Commission meets alternatively in Rome and in countries where Oriental Orthodox are present. On the evening of the same day, the members of the Joint Commission attended a dinner hosted by Metropolitan George Saliba.


On Sunday January 31, the members of the Joint Commission attended the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of the Catholicosate of Cilicia presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. Cardinal Kasper preached the homily.


The eighth meeting of the International Commission will take place in Rome at the invitation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Arrivals will be on January 24, 2011. The two delegations will meet separately on January 25, and participate in the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This will be followed by plenary sessions on January 26, 27 and 28, with departures on January 29. At the eighth plenary meeting, the members of the Commission will deepen their study of the communion and communication that existed between our churches until the mid-fifth century of Christian history, as well as the role played by monasticism.


The members of the Commission are:

Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (in alphabetical order)


Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church: H.E. Mor Theophilus George Saliba, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon, Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Beirut, Lebanon; H.E. Kuriakose Theophilose, Metropolitan of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Theological Seminary and President of the Ecumenical Secretariat of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in India, Ernakulam, India;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Catholicosate of all Armenians: H.E. Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese of the USA, New York (Represented by H.G. Armash Nalbandian, Armenian Orthodox Church Diocese of Damascus); H.E. Archbishop Yeznik Petrossian, General Secretary of Inter-Church Affairs of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia;

Armenian Apostolic Church: Holy See of Cilicia: H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the USA, New York; H.G. Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon;

Coptic Orthodox Church: H.E. Anba Bishoy (co-chair), Metropolitan of Damiette, Egypt, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church; Rev. Fr. Shenouda Maher Ishak, West Henrietta, New York, USA; H.G. Bishop Daniel of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Australia (observer);

Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church: Rev. Fr. Kaleab Gebreselassie Gebru, Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Patriarchate, Asmara, Eritrea (unable to attend);

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church: Rev. Fr. Megabe Biluy Seife Selassie Yohannes, Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate, Addis Ababa (unable to attend). The Ethiopian Church was represented at this meeting by H.E. Archbishop Demetrios of the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon; Rev. Fr. Abba Gebre Kidan of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of Lebanon;

Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church: H.E. Metropolitan Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, President of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Diocese of Trivandrum, India; Rev. Dr. John Mathews (co-secretary), Secretary of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, Kottayam, India.


Representatives of the Catholic Church


His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper (co-chair), President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;

Most Reverend Paul-Werner Scheele, Bishop Emeritus of Würzburg, Germany;
Most Reverend Youhanna Golta, Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop of the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate, Cairo, Egypt;

Most Reverend Jules Mikhael Al-Jamil, Procurator of the Syrian Catholic Patriarchate to the Holy See and Apostolic Visitator in Europe, Rome;
Most Reverend Peter Marayati, Armenian Catholic Archbishop of Aleppo, Syria;

Most Reverend Woldetensae Ghebreghiorghis, Apostolic Vicar of Harar, Ethiopia, President of the Ecumenical Commission of the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and Eritrea;

Rev. Fr. Frans Bouwen M.Afr., Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Jerusalem;

Rev. Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA;
Rev. Fr. Ronald G. Roberson, CSP, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC, USA;

Rev. Fr. Paul Rouhana, OLM, Université Saint-Esprit, Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon;

Rev. Fr. Mark Sheridan, OSB, Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, Rome;

Rev. Fr. Mathew Vellanickal, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry, India;

Rev. Fr. Boghos Levon Zekiyan, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome;
Prof. Dietmar W. Winkler, Consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Salzburg, Austria.

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke, official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Rome (co-secretary).


Antelias, Lebanon, January 31, 2010

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ECUMENISM NEEDS CLEAR ORIENTATION AND FOCUS - HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

ANTELIAS: "Depicting the present state of the ecumenical movement in terms of crisis has become a general trend; I do not share this approach" stated His Holiness Aram I. He said that "seeking new vision, redefining its orientation, revising its agenda, restructuring its programmatic priorities are integral to the very nature of the ecumenical movement". Catholicos Aram, who has served 15 years a Moderator of the World Council of Churches, reminded that "with ecumenism we are dealing with movement, not institution, with vision not programme, with fellowship, not with management". Hence, according to Aram I reducing the ecumenical movement to its institutional expression will be the end of it.


Aram I believes that the ecumenical movement must remain "restless, in permanent crisis, seeking new ways of articling its vision". However, for Aram I the ecumenical movement is actually "disoriented, its focus is not clear and its raison d'être has become shaky. Here is the problem". In his view this situation is largely due to "non-committal ecumenism of the churches, as well as the shift of interest from church unity related issues to moral-ethical matters, inter-religious dialogue and confessional ecumenism".


His Holiness stressed the need for a "credible, relevant, reliable and responsive ecumenism, an ecumenism with which the churches can identify themselves". Aram I said that the discussion on the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement that the WCC started must continue with the active participation of the churches.


These views of Aram I were shared with a few reporters at the end of the meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Charities which was held at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, from 27-30 January 2010.

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