Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Visit: Peace Talks in Offing

By Babu K Peter

The letter of His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Catholicos of the East to His Holiness Ignatius Aphrem II, the Patriarch of Antioch.
(Photo courtesy of the SyrianOrthodox Church Almaya Forum Facebook page)

KOCHI (INDIA): With hardly two weeks left for the  Apostolic visit of Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, to India, hopes for peace and reconciliation between Jacobite and Orthodox factions soar high. The Orthodox Church has expressed willingness to attend genuine meetings for reconciliation.
Orthodox Church head Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Paulose II has sent a letter to the Patriarch, expressing willingness to hold a conciliation  meeting.The Jacobite Church and the Orthodox Church,  that trace the same roots, have been at loggerheads for more than 50 years over ownership of various churches and other establishments.
There were reports that the Patriarch had expressed his wish to put an end to the disputes between the duo. The prelate reported to have stated that he would  use all possible means to bring peace between two Churches. As communicated to a Metropolitan delegation visited him earlier, he is of the opinion that amalgamation of churches is not the possible way for unity, instead  there should be peaceful existence with mutual respect.
“It is our fervent hope that steps would be initiated for a genuine reconciliation in the Church as per the will of  Christ, taking into account, the desire of the faithful, law of this land and our precedent in blessed unity,” the Catholicos stated in the letter to the Patriarch. “The Orthodox Church has never been against the attempts to bring peace among the Churches through conciliation. If there is a genuine effort to put an end to the standoff, we’ll cooperate,” said Fr John Abraham Konat priest trustee of Orthodox Church.
COURTESY: New Indian Express 
Published: 26th January 2015