COMMUNIQUE ON ROMAN CATHOLIC-ORTHODOX CHURCH DIALOGUE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2000 (VIS) - Made public this afternoon was a communique, written in English, from the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, which met in plenary session at Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, U.S.A. from July 9 to today.

The meeting was hosted by Cardinal William Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore and co-chaired by Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Archbishop Stylianos of Australia, ecumenical patriarchate. The Catholic archbishops, bishops and scholars came from the United States, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Poland and Romania. The Orthodox metropolitans, bishops and scholars were from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Moscow and Romania, and the Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Poland, Finland and Estonia.

The communique highlighted the acts of worship during this period, including a service of prayer at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Basilica, a doxology at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Eucharist in Assumption Catholic Basilica in Baltimore and a divine liturgy in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia in Washington.

"The theme discussed at this plenary session," states the communique, "was the 'Ecclesiological and Canonical Implications of Uniatism', ... a subject which has assumed particular importance since the changes which occurred in Central and Eastern Europe over the last ten years."

"Although reactions were generally positive," it adds, the documents touching upon theological aspects and practical guidelines "were met with some reserve and even outright opposition, sometimes from each side. Therefore, it was felt necessary to continue the reflection by the Joint Commission in order to find common understanding on this extremely thorny question."

"The discussions of this plenary were far-reaching, intense and thorough. They touched upon many theological and canonical questions connected with the existence and the activities of the Eastern Catholic Churches. However, since agreement was not reached on the basic theological concept of uniatism, it was decided not to have a common statement at this time. For this reason, the members will report to their Churches who will indicate how to overcome this obstacle for the peaceful continuation of the dialogue.

"The Commission sees the need for further study of the theological, pastoral, historical and canonical aspects related to this issue. ... Despite all the difficulties the Commission hopes that through this process it will be able to develop further its quest for full communion between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches."

The communique concludes by recalling that the Commission, in this Year 2000, celebrates the 20th anniversary of the beginning of its work at Patmos and Rhodes in 1980.

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