February 25, 2008

JERUSALEM – The fifth meeting of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches took place in St. Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Ma'arat Saydnaya, Damascus – Syria, January 27 to February 2, 2008, at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East. The meeting was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the examination of a draft document produced by the drafting committee, entitled "Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church." His Excellency Dr. Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic received on behalf of the Commission, His Holiness Patriarch Mar Ignatius Zakka I Iwas and His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper. MECC General Secretary Mr Guirgis Saleh visited the conference and discussed related issues to dialogue between churches.

The sixth meeting of the International Commission will be hosted by the Catholic Church in Rome in January 25-31, 2009.

For further information contact: guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb

Middle East Council of Churches