20150131

Pope Francis: spirit of fraternity with Oriental Orthodox


Vatican Radio

VATICAN CITY, Jan.30, 2015—
Pope Francis with Oriental Orthodox leaders at the Vatican - Credit: Vatican Radio/OSSERVATORE ROMANO

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday received the participants in a meeting -this week - of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The Oriental Orthodox Churches those Orthodox Eastern Christian churches which recognize only the first three ecumenical councils, and rejected the formulae of the Council of Chalcedon, at which certain central Christological doctrines were dogmatically defined, most especially the dual nature – fully divine and fully human, perfectly united though without mixing, blending or alteration – of Christ.

Click below to hear our report 
http://media02.radiovaticana.va/audio/audio2/mp3/00463660.mp3


In remarks prepared for the occasion and delivered during the noon audience in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, Pope Francis praised the progress of the Commission in its dozen years of work, and called on all participants to continue their journey in a spirit of brotherhood. “I express my hope that this work will bear rich fruit for our common theological research and help us to experience ever more fully our fraternal friendship,” the Holy Father said.

Pope Francis went on to note, with, “dismay and deep sadness,” the ongoing conflicts and crises in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria. “I join you,” he said, “in praying for a negotiated solution and in imploring God’s goodness and mercy upon all those affected by this immense tragedy.” The Holy Father continued, saying, “All Christians are called to work together, in mutual acceptance and trust, in order to serve the cause of peace and justice. May the intercession and example of the many martyrs and saints who have borne courageous witness to Christ in all our Churches sustain and strengthen you and your Christian communities.”

Pope Francis concluded his remarks by thanking the participants for their visit, invoking the Lord’s blessings and the maternal protection of Mary on their ministry, and asking in turn for their continued prayers for him.


(from Vatican Radio)

COURTESY: Vatican Radio

Pope Francis to Oriental Orthodox: common witness of suffering

Vatican Radio

VATICAN CITY, Jan.30, 2015—
The Members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches with the Roman Pope Francis. Credit: Facebook page of Roman Catholic- Oriental Orthodox Dialogue/OSSERVATORE ROMANO
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis of Rome on Friday (Jan. 30, 2015) received the participants in a meeting - this week - of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Below, please find the official English text of the Holy Father's remarks.
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Dear Brothers in Christ,
With great joy I welcome you, the members of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Through you, I offer fraternal greetings to my venerable brothers, the heads of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. I thank His Eminence Anba Bishoy, Co-President of the Commission, for his kind words.
It is gratifying to reflect on the work of your Commission, which began in January 2003 as a joint initiative of the ecclesiastical authorities of the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. In the last ten years the Commission has examined from an historical perspective the ways in which the Churches expressed their communion in the early centuries, and what this can mean for our pursuit of communion today. In the course of this week’s meeting you have also embarked upon a deeper examination of your work on the nature of the sacraments, and of baptism in particular. I express my hope that this work will bear rich fruit for our common theological research and help us to experience ever more fully our fraternal friendship.
With deep appreciation I recall the inspiring commitment to dialogue shown by His Holiness Ignatius Zakka Iwas, Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, who died this past year. Together with you and his own clergy and faithful, I pray for the eternal rest of this dedicated servant of God.
At this time we especially feel dismay and deep sadness at what is happening in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria. I think of all those living in the region, including our Christian brothers and sisters, and many minorities, who are experiencing the effects of a prolonged and painful conflict. I join you in praying for a negotiated solution and in imploring God’s goodness and mercy upon all those affected by this immense tragedy. All Christians are called to work together, in mutual acceptance and trust, in order to serve the cause of peace and justice. May the intercession and example of the many martyrs and saints who have borne courageous witness to Christ in all our Churches sustain and strengthen you and your Christian communities.
Dear brothers, I thank you for your visit. Upon you and your ministry I invoke the Lord’s blessing and the maternal protection of Mary Most Holy. Please pray for me.
(from Vatican Radio)
COURTESY:Vatican Radio

Some more snaps from the Roman Holy Father's meeting with the members of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox dialogue commission

20150128

Oriental Orthodox and Catholics work to conclude joint document

Rome, 27/01/2015--

(Vatican Radio) Representatives of all the Oriental Orthodox Churches are here in Rome this week for a meeting of their International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue with the Catholic Church. During the five day encounter, which began on Monday, participants hope to finalise a joint document on Communion and Communication in the first five centuries of Christianity.

The Oriental Orthodox Churches are amongst the most ancient Christian communities in the world, founded according to tradition by the first apostles in Egypt, Armenia, Syria, India and Ethiopia in the decades following Christ’s death and Resurrection. They have not been in communion with either the Roman Catholic Church or the Byzantine Orthodox world since they officially severed ties in the 5th century.

To find out more, Philippa Hitchen spoke with Fr Gabriel Quicke, who’s in charge of relations with these Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity….

Listen: http://media02.radiovaticana.va/audio/audio2/mp3/00463219.mp3

Fr Gabriel says the new document is significant for Christians today as it highlights the rich heritage the Churches shared in the first five centuries before the divisions took place…

He says the Commission will go on to a new round of discussions on the sacraments, especially the question of Baptism which is still not recognised by some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches…

Fr Gabriel says many of the Oriental Orthodox Church leaders are witnessing an emptying out of their communities because of the lack of security in the Middle East region. He says the solidarity of the Catholic world and the appeals of Pope Francis on behalf of persecuted Christians are very important and much appreciated by the people there…..

Courtesy of Vatican Radio


20150124

Syrian Orthodox Patriarch to visit India next month


A seven-member team of Metropolitans will escort the Patriarch during his maiden visit to the state.

Kottayam, 2015 January 24: Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem-II of the Syrian Orthodox Church will arrive in Kochi for an eight-day-long visit on Feb. 7.

A seven-member team of Metropolitans will escort the Patriarch during his maiden visit to the state. Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq, Gregorios Saliba Shamoun, Archbishop of Turabdin Timotheos Samule Aktas, and Malankara affairs secretary Mar Timotheos Mathews will be among those accompanying Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church Ignatius Aphrem II on his visit to India.

He will be received at the Cochin international airport on February 7 by Catholicos Baselios Thomas I of Jacobite Syrian Christian Patriarchal faction (Antiochian Syrian Orthodox Church) and representatives of the State government as he is visiting Kerala as a State guest.

The Patriarch will participate in various programmes organised by the Church on February 9.

On February 11 and 12, Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem-II will take part in the Manjinikkara Church annual festival.

The Patriarch will also deliver a speech at the Maramon Convention the next day. He will attend rituals at various churches in the state during the visit.

Source: New Indian Express,The Hindu (INDIA)