Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

1 - In the area of the relation between the two Orthodox families:-
a) The official ecclesiastical acceptance by the two parties of the theological agreement
related to the Christology and the joint theological text signed by the joint Committee
for the dialogue, as this will also apply to the ecclesiastical relations.
b) The clear official acceptance and recognition of the Baptism performed by the two
families through the spirit of our common tradition and the unity of the mysteries and
its distinctions as regards the gifts granted on one hand, and on the other, we can not
separate Christ of the mysteries from Christ of the faith.
c) Regular attempts in our joint theological work to benefit of the fruits of our theological
dialogue in the writings and publications of each of the two families, towards a farther
objective to create ecclesiastical relations. This can be realised through exchanging
the theological writings, professors and students of the Theological Institutes.
d) Preparation of publications to the congregation of the two families to be acquainted
with what is taking place in the theological dialogue, and the relations existing
between us.
e) Joint confrontation of the practical problems in the two families such as the problems
of marriage divorce (consideration of the marriage as having taken place) etc.
f) Preparation of a book containing information about the churches taking part in the
dialogue.
g) A summary of the most important Christological terms together with a brief
explanation and analysis, based upon the fathers’ theology and writings.
h) Preparation and publication in different languages of a separate pamphlet comprising
the joint text agreed upon in the meeting of the committee held in July 1989, related to
our agreement on the issue of Christology, and its necessity for the unity of the
Church.
2 - Regarding our relation with the external world
The following is of utmost importance from the practical point of view
a) Serious joint work of the two families to adopt the same attitude in relation to the
theological dialogue within the framework of the World Council of Churches (WCC)
and with the countries of the whole world through the ecumenical movement.
b) To issue a joint communique against the modern conceptions, which are completely in
contradiction with our Apostolic tradition, whether those related to the faith and the
campaigns of suspicion, or those related to ecclesiastical issues, such as the ordination
of women, and the moral issues.
c) As regards the issue of the woman's position in the church and also not allowing her to
be ordained as a priest, the attitude of our churches is the same. Also the joint General
Committee for the Dialogue can issue a declaration indicating the importance of the
theological basis, which will depend upon the outcomes of the World Orthodox
Summit Meeting held in Rhodes in 1988, as well as the address of H.H. Pope
Shenouda Ill to the meeting of the Anglican Churches held at Lambeth 1988, and other
sources.
d) The common work in view of neutralising the trends of proselytism among the
churches.
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