M
mardukm
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The following are excerpts from the Seventh Joint Unofficial Dialogue between Churches of the Syriac Tradition in 2004. The topic was “Primacy in the Syriac Tradition.”
The Dialogue has members from the following Churches:
Assyrian Church of the East
Ancient Church of the East,
Chaldean Church
Syro-Malabar Church
Maronite Church
Syrian Orthodox Church
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Syrian Catholic Church
Malankara Catholic Church.
There is also an observer from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Marduk
The Dialogue has members from the following Churches:
Assyrian Church of the East
Ancient Church of the East,
Chaldean Church
Syro-Malabar Church
Maronite Church
Syrian Orthodox Church
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Syrian Catholic Church
Malankara Catholic Church.
There is also an observer from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
- The presentation of the biblical perspective confirmed a basic common understanding of the NT texts concerning the place and the role of St. Peter in the group of the Apostles, although some different emphases were expressed as to their significance for the life of the Church in the post-apostolic times. Some elements of the interpretation of these texts by the Syriac Fathers were also briefly shared. However, the participants believe that a more systematic study of this patristic interpretation could enrich our insights in the development of the Syriac Tradition on the role of primacy in the Church.
- During the discussion it became clear that in the liturgical tradition, both in the East Syriac and West Syriac Churches, the special importance attached to the person of St. Peter in the NT is reiterated. He is given the titles of head of the Apostles, foundation of the Church, holder of the keys of the Kingdom, rock and pillar. However, it is understood that these images have also to be seen in relation to the other Apostles and collectively to the Apostolic College. St. Peter is mentioned several times in connection with St. Paul, and the importance of the see of Rome is attached to the martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome.
- In the same way both the East and West Syriac canonical traditions stress St. Peter’s position, especially in the canonical collections of Abdisho of Soba in the East Syriac and Bar Ebraya in the West Syriac Churches in the 13th century. Even in the centuries of isolation these Churches did not alter substantially their view of St. Peter.
- We have to be well aware of the fact that these texts are differently read and interpreted in our different Churches of the Syriac Traditions, because of their historical situation. After the divisions that resulted from the christological controversies of the 5th and 6th centuries, most of these Churches have been compelled by the difficult circumstances to live in isolation from each other. They recognize a regional or patriarchal primacy, but, while not loosing the awareness of belonging to a worldwide communion, the concept of a universal primacy is not part of their living experience. Furthermore, some painful conflicts in the past have been at the origin of feelings of mistrust and fear that render a new understanding of certain texts extremely difficult. So it became once more clear that there are many non-theological, i.e. historical, political and cultural, factors that prevent a better mutual understanding and fuller unity. For instance the participants referred several times to the negative consequences of Western interference in the life of the Churches of the Syriac Tradition.
- We have to be careful not to draw hasty conclusions according to our own traditions and sensitivities. Catholics should not apply immediately to the present position of the Bishop of Rome each reference to a preeminence of St. Peter, while the Orthodox should not minimize immediately such reference because of their non-acceptance of the Roman primacy in its present form.
Marduk