(Vatican Radio) They are representatives of some of the most ancient Christian churches
in the world, founded according to tradition by the apostles in Egypt, Armenia, Syria,
India and Ethiopia in the decades following Christ’s death and Resurrection. They
are Churches that have not been in communion with either the Roman Catholic world
or the Eastern Orthodox world since they officially severed ties in the 5th
century – hence very little is known about their rich heritage and traditions outside
those countries where they are still based. Representatives of all the Oriental
Orthodox Churches are here in Rome this week for a meeting of their International
Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue with the Catholic Church. The five day encounter
is focused on Communion and Communication in the first five centuries of Christianity.
To find out more, Philippa Hitchen spoke with Fr Gabriel Quicke, who’s in charge of
relations with these Oriental Orthodox Churches at the Pontifical Council for Promoting
Christian Unity….
Listen:
“Last year
we had our meeting in Ethiopia, hosted by Patriarch Abune Paulos who died recently
in August – I went with Cardinal Koch to attend his funeral…. In Addis Ababa we
decided to organise a draft commission in September where we have put all the papers
together on Communion and Communication in the first five centuries….
We see
that we have a lot of elements in common, we are making progress step by step, listening
to one another….exchanging ideas but also experiences and gifts…
We hear about
these Churches more and more – in Egypt for example they are in a very difficult situation….we
have to take their community into our hearts and support them by different means…”