Following the successful conclusion of the Plenary Session held in Alexandria in 2023, the Coordinating Committee of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches convened from June 3 to 7, 2024, at the Oasi Santa Maria Cultural Center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto.
The meeting was co-chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Job of Pisidia (Ecumenical Patriarchate). The Committee was graciously hosted by Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano of Bari-Bitonto.
As described in the Communiqué:
Following the successful conclusion of the Plenary Session held in Alexandria in 2023, the Coordinating Committee of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, under the co-presidency of Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, met from 3–7 June 2024 at the Oasi Santa Maria Spiritual Center of the Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto. The Committee was fraternally hosted by H.E. Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano of Bari-Bitonto.
On Tuesday, 4 June, the Roman Catholic members celebrated the Eucharist at Bari Cathedral in the presence of the Orthodox members and the Christian faithful. Following the service, a dinner was generously hosted by H.E. Archbishop Giuseppe Satriano. On Thursday, 6 June, the Orthodox members celebrated the Divine Liturgy over the relics of St Nicholas in the crypt of the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari in the presence of the Roman Catholic members and the Christian faithful. Following the service, the Committee was welcomed to breakfast by the Dominican Fathers.
The Committee felt inspired to be convening in the same historic location at which the Dialogue’s Bari Document (1987) was agreed. The Coordinating Committee considered a draft text entitled “Towards Unity in Faith: Theological and Canonical Issues,” which summarized the achievements of the Dialogue thus far and identified several issues remaining to be resolved between Roman Catholics and Orthodox. The Committee began to discuss in particular the historical and theological issues related to the Filioque and Infallibility, respectively. To this end, two subcommittees were formed, and each was tasked with producing a draft text on one of these themes.
It was decided that once these draft documents have been completed, the Coordinating Committee will convene, hopefully next year at a time and place to be determined, in order to discuss them in detail.
The members look forward to the forthcoming commemoration in 2025 of the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council held at Nicaea in 325, and pray that this event will be an inspiration on the path towards the re-establishment of full communion.
