Catholic-Orthodox Panel Studies Church's Nature

RAVENNA, Italy, OCT. 8, 2007 (Zenit.org).- A group of 60 Catholic and Orthodox theologians are studying the sacramental nature of the Church, hoping to bring full communion a step closer.

The 10th plenary assembly of the International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches began today.

After a Tuesday event open to the public, the theologians will work behind closed doors through Sunday.

The commission was formed in 1980. Differences brought the group to a halt for six years, but the members resumed discussions at the end of 2005.

The panel is led by co-presidents: Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Metropolitan Ioannis Zizioulas of Pergamo.

ZE07100805 - 2007-10-08