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

II. Further Theological Studies
The Joint Commission recommends that the following issues be further studied by
experts of
Both Churches:
1. The history and doctrine of the Councils of the Early Church and in particular those
concerned with Christology:
a) Their theological and non-theological factors
b) Their ecclesiastical authority as such
c) The acceptance of the Canons in both Churches, especially concerning their
application to our contemporary differences and needs.
2. The Sacraments in their relation to the Church and the economy of Salvation.
3. The recognition of Saints, concerning Orthodoxy of faith and spirituality.
4. The ways of implementing the above mentioned points in liturgical and historical
books and theological institutions.
This list is not an exhaustive one. It indicates those points of particular, importance that
should be given priority.
The Joint Commission will examine the ways for involving experts in these studies and
bringing the results of their work to the attention of our Churches.
III. Practical Affairs
The joint Catholic-Coptic Orthodox commission recognises that the struggle of
ideologies, rapid social changes, the exaltation of materialism and atheism challenge the
faith of Christians and the Churches themselves. We are called by the grace of God to a
cooperation which is both serious and sincere, and which will help the Churches meet
their responsibility in this world.
In their Common Declaration, Pope Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III clearly encouraged
this cooperation and indicated the principles, which should guide it. This commission
hopes, by what it will now say to contribute to its concrete realisation.
The Joint Commission recognises that some of the people of our Churches still have a
strong feeling of mistrust when it comes to common cooperation. We must strive to
eliminate this feeling and to root out its causes. The commission also recognises that
certain people, because of a lack of proper understanding both of the Church’s
responsibility in the world and of the ecumenical spirit, might use the common
declarations of our leaders, and our own proposals, to disturb another’s community by
trying to recruit new members from it or by cultivating attitudes of minds which are
opposed to the exigencies of Christian love or to what should characterise brotherly
relationships between Churches. Actions and attitudes of this kind can find no
justification in the efforts of Catholics and Orthodox to deepen charity and cultivate
mutual consultation, reflection and cooperation in the social and intellectual fields. On
the contrary, we are convinced that Christian pastors and faithful who have been working
zealously for the spread of Christ’s kingdom will find that, by implementing the
directives of our church leaders and by giving concrete substance to the suggestions and
guidelines given by this Joint Commission, they will give a deeper significance to their
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