Clergy of the Eastern Diocese took part in the U.S. Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation on September 4-5.
Bishop Daniel Findikyan of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and Bishop Gregory Mansour of the Maronite Church co-chaired the event at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House in Queens. Representing the Armenian Church this year were Fr. Diran Bohajian, Fr. Davit Karamyan, and Dn. Eric Vozzy.
A paper titled “Eucharistic Hospitality from the Catholic Perspective” was presented by Chorbishop John Faris of the Maronite Church. In response, Bishop Daniel, Fr. Athanasius Farag (Coptic Church), and Dr. George Kiraz (Syriac Church) presented Oriental Orthodox perspectives on the limited sharing of the Eucharist with the Roman Catholic Church.
Dn. Eric Vozzy presented a paper titled “Postmodernism: The Inner Search for Meaning,” a response to the challenge that postmodern culture represents to the church and her youth. Fr. Matthew Berrios of the Catholic Church spoke on the landscape, theory, and practice of youth ministry in today’s culture.
This year’s consultation involved clergy and scholars from the Armenian, Coptic, Syriac, and Catholic traditions. The annual meeting explores ways in which the Oriental Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches might learn from one another on theological and pastoral issues.