Oriental Orthodox - Catholic dialogue continues

February 7, 2009 NEW YORK (Armenian Reporter) - Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), attended a meeting in Rome this week of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Roman Catholic Church and Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The five-day meeting, which began on Tuesday, January 27, focused on the "exercise of communion among the churches in the first five centuries."

The meeting also was devoted to the examination and approval of an agreed statement on the "Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church," which describes broad areas of consensus among the participating churches regarding fundamental ecclesiological principles, and outlines areas that require further study.

This first agreed theological report of the Roman Catholic-Oriental Orthodox dialogue is considered a major achievement by the participants.

Joining the delegation from the Roman Catholic Church were representatives of the Oriental Orthodox "family": the Armenian, Coptic, Syrian, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Malankara (Indian) churches.

On Friday, January 30, members of the commission met with Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope spoke of the "communion through the grace of the Holy Spirit" that unites the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches. "We all have a duty to work for the manifestation of that essential dimension of the church to the world," the Pope said. "The very fact that the dialogue has continued over time and is hosted each year by one of the several churches you represent is itself a sign of hope and encouragement."

Archbishop Barsamian shared with Pope Benedict the warm wishes of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, as they recalled the Catholicos's most recent visit to the Vatican last May. Pope Benedict sent his warm greetings to the Armenian pontiff.