Ecumenical Relations

Description

The Committee for Ecumenical Relations coordinates and supervises Orthodox participation in ecumenical and inter-faith dialogues and organizations, with particular reference to the existing Bi-Lateral Theological Consultations (Orthodox-Catholic and Orthodox-Lutheran) and Joint Commissions (i.e., of Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bishops & of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches).

Membership

Met. Methodios (GOA) - Chairman

Committee Liaison

Fr. Nicolas Kazarian, Facilitator

Consultants

TO BE DETERMINED

Terms of Reference

What is to be accomplished

  • Coordinate and supervise the Orthodox-Catholic and Orthodox-Lutheran Bi-Lateral Theological Consultations and the Joint Commissions of Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bishops and of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Orthodox participation in the NCCC
  • Encourage a pan-Orthodox participation based on the conviction that the Orthodox must contribute to the restoration of unity with all their strength, bearing witness to the one undivided Church of the Apostles, the Fathers and the Ecumenical Councils.
  • Determine feasibility and desirability of continuing the aforementioned Consultations and Commissions as presently configured, and recommend to the Assembly of Bishops any modifications in the existing process
  • Recommend Orthodox participants in the aforementioned Consultations and Commissions, for the Assembly's consideration
  • Identify and develop the interfaith dialogue
  • Provide a draft statement of purpose and goals for these and other such ecumenical dialogues, for the Assembly's review and ratification

How it is to be accomplished

  • Inform by letter all current Orthodox participants of the new oversight of the Assembly, and of the pending review of all dialogues
  • Examine the past history and accomplishments, with specific reference to any stated goals, of the dialogues from the founding of SCOBA until the present
  • Present a recommendation concerning continuance of the individual Consultations and Commissions to the Assembly, for its consideration
  • Compile a list of possible participants in such dialogues for recommendation to the Assembly
  • Invite all member bishops of the Assembly to share, in writing, their thoughts about participation in ecumenical dialogues, and what they believe the goals and guidelines for such participation should be
  • Compare these, and draw up a draft proposal that takes these views into consideration
  • Present draft proposal to the Assembly for ratification

With whom it is to be accomplished