Amman – In the sectarian conflicts afflicting the Middle East, Jordan wants to represent even in the future “an oasis of security and stability”, while pledging to do its utmost to protect the Christian Arabs and increase their presence in the region. This is how – according to Jordan sources consulted by Fides Agency – King Abdullah II outlined the profile of the Country, led by him, in a meeting with government representatives and civil society convened on Tuesday, September 16 to outline the Jordanian position regarding the alarming progression of the jihadists of the Islamic State.
In the meeting the Monarch also called intellectuals, religious leaders and media operators to assume their responsibility in countering extremist ideologies that disfigure the true image of Islam.
Words of appreciation were expressed by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Fouad Twal: “We welcome refugees in Jordan, and we are not among those who are refugees. Jordan has always been home and refuge for all”, the Patriarch stated, referring to recent provisions of the Jordanian government that in recent weeks welcomed in the Hashemite Kingdom hundreds of Christians who fled Iraq.
The Thirteenth plenary meeting of the International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church is being held in a hotel in the Jordanian capital.
The body – made up of two representatives from each of the 14 autocephalous Orthodox Churches and many Catholic representatives – has the task to discuss the key issue of the relationship between authority and collegiality in the Church. The ultimate goal of the work of the Commission, at this stage of history, is to see if there is a definition and a way of exercising the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, that may be accepted even by the Orthodox. The commission is co-chaired by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Metropolitan of Pergamon Ioannis Zizioulas, of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
During the work – which will end on September 23 – Members of the Commission will also have a meeting with the reality of the refugees who fled from Syria.
By: Agenzia Fides
