International Catholic-Oriental Orthodox dialogue held in Armenia

Published: 2006-02-03

ETCHMIADZIN, Armenia (CNS) -- The International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches met in Etchmiadzin Jan. 27-30 to discuss three topics on church leadership and authority. It was the third annual meeting since a preparatory meeting in 2003 laid out a plan for the dialogue. Participants at the end appointed a drafting committee to study points of consensus and differences found in the meetings so far and prepare a draft common statement for participants to discuss at their 2007 meeting. The meeting was hosted by Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was supposed to begin Jan. 26, but severe winter weather in Armenia delayed the arrival of a number of participants, forcing a one-day delay. A report issued at the end of the meeting said the dialogue members, delegated by their churches, discussed papers presented by each side on the topics of "Bishops in Apostolic Succession," "Primacy and Synodality/Conciliarity" and "Synods, Local and Ecumenical."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .