Joint statement on Catholic-Orthodox Emmitsburg dialogue

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput and Greek Orthodox Hierarch Metropolitan Isaiah issued the following prayer for the coming theological dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

July 5, 2000

Jesus Christ desires that His Church be one. The night before He suffered and died for us He prayed: "That they may all be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." (Jn 17:21). United in the prayer of our Savior, we, as bishops of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, ardently hope for the restoration of full communion between our two churches.

We ask all Christian faithful under our pastoral care to be one with us in hope and prayer as the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between Catholic and Orthodox Churches meets in Emmitsburg, Maryland, from July 9 to 19. This gathering is important for all Christians because it resumes the dialogue with the hope that all Christians will become one.

May this year, which marks two thousand years since the incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, see the healing of divisions and the growth of true unity among Christians. We raise this intention to our heavenly Father through the intercession of Mary, Most Holy Virgin and Mother of God, whose protection we invoke.

+His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisos Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Denver

+His Excellency Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Archbishop of Denver