杏MAP导航

By Seán-Patrick Lovett

杏MAP导航 Francis quoted the Second Vatican Council document, , when he affirmed that this dialogue expresses well how, between East and West, the 鈥渧arious theological expressions are to be considered often as mutually complementary rather than conflicting鈥�. At the conclusion of this sixteenth session of the Commission鈥檚 work, he said, 鈥渨e can together thank the Lord for the fruits already gathered along the way鈥�.

Sacrament of Matrimony

The Joint International Commission is currently reflecting on the Sacraments. 杏MAP导航 Francis said he hopes and prays that these reflections 鈥渕ay help us to continue the journey towards full communion, towards the shared celebration of the Holy Eucharist鈥�.

The session that has just concluded, dedicated itself to the Sacrament of Matrimony. 鈥淢an is fully in the image of God鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨hen he lives in a stable communion of love, because God is a communion of love鈥�. 

Persecuted Christians

Turning his attention to the Churches of the Middle East, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled those that have 鈥渟uffered terribly as a result of war, violence and persecution.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 confirmed his closeness, constant thoughts and prayers, 鈥渢hat this land, unique in God鈥檚 salvific plan, may, after the long night of conflict, witness the dawn of peace鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 recalled the lives of the 鈥渕any saints of our churches鈥�. He called them 鈥渟eeds of peace sown in those lands鈥�, seeds that continue to be 鈥渨atered by the blood of the witnesses of unity鈥�, the 鈥渕artyrs of our time鈥�, he said.

Composition of the Commission

The International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, was established in January 2003, by a joint initiative of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the authorities of the Coptic Orthodox Church; the Syriac Orthodox Church; the Armenian Apostolic Church, represented by the two Catholicossates of Etchmiadzin and Cilicia, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church; the Eritrean Orthodox Church; and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. 

The full text of 杏MAP导航 Francis' address can be found on the Holy See .

To learn more about the dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, click .