Patriarch of Antioch meets Cardinal Kurt Koch in Rome, discusses Orthodox-Catholic dialogue

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East met with Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, at the Dicastery’s headquarters in Rome.

The meeting focused on the course of ecumenical dialogue between the Churches and the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen Christian unity.

Patriarch John emphasized the importance of dialogue and highlighted the pioneering role that the Church of Antioch has played in building bridges based on openness and transparent communication.

He stressed that the Antiochian Church combines tolerance with fidelity to its identity and regards dialogue as an integral part of its mission and character, particularly as a means of overcoming obstacles between Christians.

For his part, Cardinal Koch welcomed Patriarch John and his accompanying delegation and highlighted the warm relations between the Catholic Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

The two sides also discussed challenges that have emerged in connection with the reception and implementation of official documents produced through the formal theological dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.