An official of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
has surveyed developments over the past year in relations with the
Oriental Orthodox churches.These churches, which ceased to be in full communion with the Holy See following the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon (451), include the Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Malankara Syrian Orthodox, and Eritrean Orthodox Churches.
“In recent months we have seen the images of Syrians fleeing from their country to seek refuge in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq,” Father Gabriel Quicke wrote in an article published in the latest English edition of L’Osservatore Romano.
Noting that many of the refugees are Oriental Orthodox Christians, he said that “this painful reality reminds us that Christ still today is suffering and poor. Christ is still hungry, thirsty and cold. Pope Francis has repeatedly expressed his concern over the plight of those Christians who are suffering the consequences of conflict and tension in many areas of the Middle East.”
In addition to recalling the suffering of the refugees, Father Quicke discussed meetings with various Oriental Orthodox church officials over the past year.