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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS THE
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY
On 25th of November 2008, in the framework of his official visit to the
Vatican, His Holiness Aram I with his entire entourage of Archbishops and
Bishops visited the offices of the Pontifical Council for promoting
Christian unity.
His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of this Council, surrounded
by his entire staff, warmly welcomed His Holiness by underlining the
importance of ecumenism for the Catholic Church and expressed his joy for
the fraternal relations and collaboration between the Vatican and Armenian
Orthodox Church-Catholicosate of Cilicia.
During the general discussion a special appreciation was extended to His
Holiness for his long-standing ecumenical leadership and instrumental role
in ensuring the participation of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the
official theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of
the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
In their turn, bishop Johan Bonny and bishop Nareg Alemezian, the two
ecumenical officers participating in the deliberations, gave an overview of
the ecumenical involvement of the Catholic and Armenian Churches, and
referred to the special character of the bi-lateral theological dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the family of the Oriental Orthodox
Churches.
His Holiness Aram I responding to the welcoming words of H. E. Cardinal
Kasper expressed his joy coming once again to the center of Council for
promoting Christian Unity. Speaking about ecumenism Aram I said that
"growing confessionalism diminishing interest in visible unity of the
Church, shift of focus from inter-church to inter-religious relations,
collaboration and dialogue, as well as financial crisis have put ecumenism
in stagnation". Hence according to His Holiness "new perception, new
methodology and new articulation need to be developed in order to liberate
ecumenism from marginalization". Within this framework, the Armenian Pontiff
made some specific suggestions for further reflection.
Speaking about bi-lateral dialogues Aram I strongly suggested that
ecclesiology and ethics remain top priorities. He said that "issues
pertaining to Churches ecclesiological self-understanding, primacy,
synodical conciliarity and reception need to be elaborated". Referring to
ethical issues His Holiness said that "We clearly see growing convergences
in doctrine and growing divergences in ethics. In other words the Churches
are more divided today in ethical-moral issues than doctrinal issues".
His Holiness Aram I also emphasized the importance of multi-lateral
ecumenism which needs to be given more efficient articulation through World
Council of Churches as well as regional and national ecumenical structures".
At the end of his remarks Catholicos Aram I informed the Cardinal and his
assistants that he has shared with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, two ideas
that need to be pursuit by ecumenical bodies. These are a common Christian
Martyrs day and a common Easter date. He said that through this initiative
Christian unity will acquire more visibility and will generate a renewed
ecumenical enthusiasm among the people on grassroots level.
At noon His Holiness with the accompanying clergy and laity visited the
Levonian Armenian Catholic College. In the Church the Pontiff was greeted by
the bishops, priests, seminarians and the Armenian faithful in Rome. After
the canonical prayer in the Church, the Dean of the college hosted a
luncheon in honor of His Holiness.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos334.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Arme nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I VISITS THE
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY
On 25th of November 2008, in the framework of his official visit to the
Vatican, His Holiness Aram I with his entire entourage of Archbishops and
Bishops visited the offices of the Pontifical Council for promoting
Christian unity.
His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of this Council, surrounded
by his entire staff, warmly welcomed His Holiness by underlining the
importance of ecumenism for the Catholic Church and expressed his joy for
the fraternal relations and collaboration between the Vatican and Armenian
Orthodox Church-Catholicosate of Cilicia.
During the general discussion a special appreciation was extended to His
Holiness for his long-standing ecumenical leadership and instrumental role
in ensuring the participation of the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the
official theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the family of
the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
In their turn, bishop Johan Bonny and bishop Nareg Alemezian, the two
ecumenical officers participating in the deliberations, gave an overview of
the ecumenical involvement of the Catholic and Armenian Churches, and
referred to the special character of the bi-lateral theological dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the family of the Oriental Orthodox
Churches.
His Holiness Aram I responding to the welcoming words of H. E. Cardinal
Kasper expressed his joy coming once again to the center of Council for
promoting Christian Unity. Speaking about ecumenism Aram I said that
"growing confessionalism diminishing interest in visible unity of the
Church, shift of focus from inter-church to inter-religious relations,
collaboration and dialogue, as well as financial crisis have put ecumenism
in stagnation". Hence according to His Holiness "new perception, new
methodology and new articulation need to be developed in order to liberate
ecumenism from marginalization". Within this framework, the Armenian Pontiff
made some specific suggestions for further reflection.
Speaking about bi-lateral dialogues Aram I strongly suggested that
ecclesiology and ethics remain top priorities. He said that "issues
pertaining to Churches ecclesiological self-understanding, primacy,
synodical conciliarity and reception need to be elaborated". Referring to
ethical issues His Holiness said that "We clearly see growing convergences
in doctrine and growing divergences in ethics. In other words the Churches
are more divided today in ethical-moral issues than doctrinal issues".
His Holiness Aram I also emphasized the importance of multi-lateral
ecumenism which needs to be given more efficient articulation through World
Council of Churches as well as regional and national ecumenical structures".
At the end of his remarks Catholicos Aram I informed the Cardinal and his
assistants that he has shared with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, two ideas
that need to be pursuit by ecumenical bodies. These are a common Christian
Martyrs day and a common Easter date. He said that through this initiative
Christian unity will acquire more visibility and will generate a renewed
ecumenical enthusiasm among the people on grassroots level.
At noon His Holiness with the accompanying clergy and laity visited the
Levonian Armenian Catholic College. In the Church the Pontiff was greeted by
the bishops, priests, seminarians and the Armenian faithful in Rome. After
the canonical prayer in the Church, the Dean of the college hosted a
luncheon in honor of His Holiness.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos334.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.