Pope encourages talks with Oriental Orthodox Churches
28/1/2011
Pope Benedict XVI met on January 28 with members of a joint commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox churches. The Pontiff expressed appreciation for their work and confidence for the future of the ecumenical dialogue.
The Oriental Orthodox churches are those Christian bodies that broke away with Rome in the wake of the Council of Chalcedon in 451, over disagreements on the christological doctrines affirmed by that council. The Oriental Orthodox churches include the Armenian Apostolic, Syrian, and Coptic Orthodox—but not the larger Russian, Greek, and other Orthodox churches of the Byzantine tradition.
Since the commission was established in 2003, the Holy Father observed, the group has reached a basis for agreement on the nature of the Church. The Pope observed: “We can only be grateful that after almost 1,500 years of separation we still find agreement about the sacramental nature of the Church, about apostolic succession in priestly service and about the impelling need to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the world.” The commission has now moved on to discussions on the communion among Christian churches prior to the Council of Chalcedon, and the role of monasticism in early Christianity.
In addressing the Orthodox members of the panel, Pope Benedict noted that many “come from regions where Christian individuals and communities face trials and difficulties that are a cause of deep concern for us all. “ He emphasized that all Christians have a moral obligation to work for justice and to support each other in such times of need.
Friends…
This is utter foolishness.. or rather say madness..
For TALKS there should be a PRE_CONDITION from the ORTHODOX side.. that the CATHOLIC church should abolish and not use the same title that of the ORTHODOX church. To be specific they should stop using the following titles that directly DEFAMES the ORTHODOX church an dits heads. Those are the llegal “COPTIC CATHOLIC PATRAIRCHATE of Alexandria”., MARONITE, MELKITE and SYRIAC CATHOLIC PATRIARCHATES” of Antioch., ARMENIAN CATHOLIC CATHOLICOS PATRIARCHATE OF CILICIA., and SYRO-MALANKARA MAJOR ARCHBISHOP who declared hiomself the CATHOLICOS..
Only if there is a ban on these illegal titles.. there can be a dialogue.. Every talks should be in an EQUAL stand… ALL other conditions cannot be accepted.
Please mind that ORTHODOX church have suffered the most from so called “Sui iuris” churches.. which was seperted from the ORTHODOX church for ILLEGAL gains…
May the Lord Jesus blesses the menbers of the differentes churches for tacking each other. We need to witness the Gospel to a world which completly devided, and to be united in front of islam.
Instead blaming Catholic Church ORTHODOX church figiting between THEM.Catholic only taking advantage of situation. what is happening in india