Three Decades of Dialogue: Catholic and Assyrian Churches Stepping Towards Unity

Thirty years ago, the Common Christological Declaration between the Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East marked a milestone in ecumenical dialogue. Signed by Pope John Paul II and Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Dinkha IV on November 11, 1994, this document reaffirmed shared beliefs about Christ’s nature and paved the way for unity between these ancient Churches. Celebrations of this historic event, as well as the progress made since, took place recently in Rome, with Pope Francis and His Holiness Mar Awa III, the current Catholicos-Patriarch, emphasizing the ongoing journey toward full communion.

CHURCH FATHERS (53) Bede, the Venerable: Centering history before and after Christ

Saint Bede, known as the Venerable, serves as a bridge between faith and history. A prolific scholar and devout monk, his works spanned Sacred Scripture, Church history, and liturgical theology, emphasizing the centrality of Christ in all things. Bede’s masterpiece, Ecclesiastical History of the English Peoples, not only secured his legacy as the “Father of English Historiography” but also highlighted the universal dimension of the Church, rooted in catholicity and apostolicity.