Notes from the visit by His Holiness Aram I

(IOCN) On 25^th of November 2008, in the framework of his official visit to the Vatican, His Holiness Aram I with his entire entourage of Archbishops and Bishops visited the offices of the Pontifical Council for promoting Christian unity.

His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of this Council, surrounded by his entire staff, warmly welcomed His Holiness by underlining the importance of ecumenism for the Catholic Church and expressed his joy for the fraternal relations and collaboration between the Vatican and Armenian Orthodox Church-Catholicosate of Cilicia.

During the general discussion a special appreciation was extended to His Holiness for his long-standing ecumenical leadership and instrumental role in ensuring the participation of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the official theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

In their turn, bishop Johan Bonny and bishop Nareg Alemezian, the two ecumenical officers participating in the deliberations, gave an overview of the ecumenical involvement of the Catholic and Armenian Churches, and referred to the special character of the bi-lateral theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

His Holiness Aram I responding to the welcoming words of H. E. Cardinal Kasper expressed his joy coming once again to the center of Council for promoting Christian Unity. Speaking about ecumenism Aram I said that “growing confessionalism diminishing interest in visible unity of the Church, shift of focus from inter-church to inter-religious relations, collaboration and dialogue, as well as financial crisis have put ecumenism in stagnation”. Hence according to His Holiness “new perception, new methodology and new articulation need to be developed in order to liberate ecumenism from marginalization”. Within this framework, the Armenian Pontiff made some specific suggestions for further reflection.

Speaking about bi-lateral dialogues Aram I strongly suggested that ecclesiology and ethics remain top priorities. He said that “issues pertaining to Churches ecclesiological self-understanding, primacy, synodical conciliarity and reception need to be elaborated”. Referring to ethical issues His Holiness said that “We clearly see growing convergences in doctrine and growing divergences in ethics. In other words the Churches are more divided today in ethical-moral issues than doctrinal issues”.

His Holiness Aram I also emphasized the importance of multi-lateral ecumenism which needs to be given more efficient articulation through World Council of Churches as well as regional and national ecumenical structures”. At the end of his remarks Catholicos Aram I informed the Cardinal and his assistants that he has shared with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, two ideas that need to be pursuit by ecumenical bodies. These are a common Christian Martyrs day and a common Easter date. He said that through this initiative Christian unity will acquire more visibility and will generate a renewed ecumenical enthusiasm among the people on grassroots level.

At noon His Holiness with the accompanying clergy and laity visited the Levonian Armenian Catholic College. In the Church the Pontiff was greeted by the bishops, priests, seminarians and the Armenian faithful in Rome. After the canonical prayer in the Church, the Dean of the college hosted a luncheon in honor of His Holiness.