A Preliminary Assessment of Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Eastern Orthodox

Abstract

This article analyzes twenty years of theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, based on documents from the International Joint Commission. These texts show broad agreement on communion ecclesiology, covering its nature, structures, and relationships between synodality and primacy, while identifying areas requiring further
study.
The study of communion in the early centuries reveals the persistence or revival of many pre-separation bonds. The consensus on sacraments leads the Commission to encourage new pastoral collaborations. As the unique experience of dialogue has been crucial, its momentum must be maintained during methodological revision to address remaining disagreements constructively.