Meeting in the Vatican with this Kerala confession of a Syriac matriarch but very close to the Reformed world, the pontiff expressed his desire for a common meeting between Christians of all confessions on the theme of mission: ‘Work together to bear witness to the risen Christ It’s the best way to get closer’
Vatican City () – Hold an ecumenical synod to reflect and work together with other Christian confessions on the topic of evangelization. This is the wish expressed today by Pope Francis when he met in the Vatican for the first time with the entire Synod of the Syro-Malankara Mar Thoma Church, a Christian confession from Kerala heir to both the Syriac tradition of the Christians of Saint Thomas and the reformed one. It separated in 1889 from the other Indian Churches that inherited the preaching of Saint Thomas precisely because of its closeness to the Protestant world in its relationship with the Holy Scripture.
When welcoming the prelates, led by Metropolitan Barnabas on behalf of Metropolitan Theodosius (whom he wished “good health”), the Pontiff underlined the ecumenical vocation of the Mar Thoma Church, which is defined as a bridge between East and West. He recalled how the future Metropolitan Philipose Mar Chrysostom also participated as an observer at the Second Vatican Council.
«In recent years – Pope Francis recalled – Providence has allowed new relationships to develop between our Churches. These contacts of ours have led to the beginning of an official dialogue: the first meeting was held last December in Kerala and the next one will take place in a few weeks. “I am glad for the beginning of this dialogue,” he added, “which I trust to the Holy Spirit and which I hope will accelerate the day when we can share the same Eucharist, fulfilling the prophecy of the Lord: ‘They will come from the East and the West and will sit at the table.’ (Mt 8,11)».
And it is referring to an idea that arose during the Synod on Synodality that the Catholic Church has just celebrated, that the Pontiff evoked the horizon of a meeting between all Christian confessions on the topic of mission. “Synodality and ecumenism are also inseparable because both aim at a better witness of Christians,” said Francis, “but the mission is not only the end of the ecumenical path, but also its means. I am convinced that working together to bear witness to the risen Christ is the best way to get closer. Therefore, as our recent Synod proposed, I hope that one day we can all celebrate together an ecumenical Synod on evangelization. And this Synod will be to guarantee, pray, reflect and commit together for a better Christian witness, “so that the world may believe” (Jn 17:21). Here too I am sure that the Mar Thoma Church, which carries within itself this missionary dimension, can offer a lot.’
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