Ecumenical progress in the East

From December 6th to 11th the Joint International Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church took place in Kerala, India, reaching some important agreements on the shared use of Churches, cemeteries and religious personnel.
As one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches based in the state of Kerala, the Malankara Orthodox community traces its origins back to the missionary activity of St Thomas in India in the first century AD. As well as running dioceses and churches in most parts of India, it also has thriving communities in the North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Gulf states.
The Catholic co-chair of the meeting in Kerala was Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. He told Philippa Hitchen about the history of this ancient Christian community and the importance of this most recent ecumenical encounter….

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