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PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED
AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES"
ARAM I
Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at
the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram
I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future
course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and
bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing
and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the
church.
Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches
and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of
history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical
encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church
and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches
formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the
attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:
1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last
decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism.
According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the
ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because
they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in
respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological
self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a
holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive
approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.
2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the
moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s,
and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal
matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously
tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.
3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral
dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented
agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus
implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while
convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and
agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.
4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that
involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral
dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer
academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies
awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the
people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its
relevance and credibility.
5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among
the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues
and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given
unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness
of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness
Aram I.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos435.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 Director
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Watch our latest videos on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HolySeeOfCilicia
"BILATERAL DIALOGUES MUST SHIFT THEIR EMPHASIS FROM CONSENSUS-ORIENTED
AGREEMENT TO CONVERGENCE-ORIENTED PROCESSES"
ARAM I
Addressing the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, meeting at
the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness Aram
I emphasized the crucial importance of bilateral dialogues for the future
course of the ecumenical movement. He said that multilateralism and
bilateralism need to be taken in their inter-connectedness, complementing
and strengthening each other on the way towards the visible unity of the
church.
Referring to the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox Churches
and the Catholic Churches, the Catholicos reminded that in the course of
history several initiatives have been made in the form of ecumenical
encounter, theological talks and joint actions between the Catholic Church
and the churches of the Oriental Orthodox family. In 2003 these churches
formally embarked on theological dialogue. Catholicos Aram I drew the
attention of the Joint Commission to the following points:
1.- After so many years of christocentric ecumenism, he said that the last
decade has witnessed an increasing move towards ecclesiocentric ecumenism.
According to His Holiness, ecclesiology must remain a priority on the
ecumenical agenda. The churches have different concepts of unity because
they have different ecclesiological teachings; the churches are divided in
respect to ethical issues, because they have different ecclesiological
self-understanding. Catholicos Aram also emphasized the need to develop a
holistic perspective which will enable the churches to have interactive
approach to ecclesiology, ethics and missiology.
2.- His Holiness reminded that the churches are existentially exposed to the
moral-ethical repercussions of secularism, syncretism and of so many "ism"s,
and are more divided in their response to these issues than in doctrinal
matters. Therefore, he strongly suggested that bilateral dialogues seriously
tackle these issues and their theological and pastoral implications.
3.- According to His Holiness, who has a long experience in bilateral
dialogues, these dialogues must shift their emphasis from consensus-oriented
agreement to convergence-oriented processes. In his opinion, consensus
implies negotiation within a given time-frame; it is a static reality while
convergence is a dynamic process which is not confined to any time-line and
agenda and provides open space for greater and creative interaction.
4.- His Holiness also proposed to develop a new perception of reception that
involves the whole people of God. He said that the findings of bilateral
dialogues must be appropriated by the people; otherwise they become sheer
academic exercise. He said that people-oriented reception process implies
awareness-building and collaboration on the local level. Reaching out to the
people must become an ecumenical priority, otherwise ecumenism will lose its
relevance and credibility.
5.- Aram I underscored the need to affirm the commonalties that exist among
the churches. Bilateral theological dialogues deal with controversial issues
and project the divided image of Christianity. We must affirm our God-given
unity, at the same time articulating our commitment to heal the brokenness
of the church. This must become our ecumenical strategy, stated His Holiness
Aram I.
##
View the photos here:
http://www.ArmenianOrthodoxChurch.org/v04/doc/Pho tos/Photos435.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.