Balamand declaration

The Balamand Declaration is a declaration made by the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches during its VIIth plenary session, which took place at Balamand School of Theology, Balamand, Lebanon 17–24 June 1993. It is officially called Uniatism, method of union of the past, and the present search for full communion.

Importance

The declaration deals with the concept of proselytism by the Roman Catholic Church on territories of the Orthodox Churches in the East. It is a break with traditional Roman Catholic teachings and practices on this subject.

The Balamand declaration was not the last of its kind, as the 2007 Ravenna declaration discussed the topic of primacy and had the majority of Eastern bishops agree that the Pope was indeed the lead bishop or protos.

Participants

The following delegates participated:

From the Eastern Orthodox Churches

The following Eastern Orthodox Churches participated:

• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:
  • Archbishop Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia, Co-President of the Joint International Commission

• Patriarchate of Alexandria:
  • Metropolitan Dionysios of Nubia
  • Professor Constantine Patelos

• Patriarchate of Antioch
  • Metropolitan George (Khodr) of Byblos and Botrys
  • Father Archimandrite Youhanna (Yazigi)

• Patriarchate of Moscow:
  • Father Hegumen Nestor (Zhilyaev)

• Patriarchate of All Romania:
  • Metropolitan Antonie (Plămădeală) of Transylvania
  • Father Archpriest Dumitru Radu

• Patriarchate of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus:
  • Metropolitan Chrysanthos of Morphou
  • Professor Macarius Papachristophorou

• Patriarchate of Warsaw:
  • Father Hieromonk Barsanuphius (Doroszkiewicz)

• Patriarchate of All Albania:
  • Professor Theodoros Papapavli

• Finnish Orthodox Church under the Patriarchate of Constantinople:
  • Bishop Ambrosius (Jääskeläinen) of Joensocu

• Executive Secretary:
  • Metropolitan Spyridon of Italy

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Peć, the Patriarchate of Bulgaria, Patriarchate of All Georgia, the Church of Greece and Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church were not represented.

From the Roman Catholic Church

• Walter Cardinal Kasper

See also

• Eastern Christianity#Rejection_of_uniatism

External links

The text

• The text of the Balamand Declaration

Discussion of the Balamand Statement

• The Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches: Taking Steps to Overcome Division Controversy Over the Balamand Report - by the Orthodox Members of the Orthodox/Roman Catholic Consultation in the United States
• OCA - Q & A - Validity of Roman Catholic Orders

References