The meeting of the Coordination Committee of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, which took place in Crete from 27th September to 4th October, "stood out, first and foremost, for a strong spirit of commitment to the theological task, as well as by a clear feeling of mutual trust and friendship among its members". Therefore, an optimistic opinion is contained in the final release, approved on 3rd October by the members of the Committee in Crete, which however has only been published on the website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In the opening session states the release , the two co-chairmen of the Joint Commission for Dialogue, card. Walter Kasper, President of the Papal Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, and the Metropolitan Bishop Ioannis Zizioulas of Pergamum (of the Ecumenical Patriarchate), "have expressed their joy and their gratitude to God for the continuation of the theological dialogue between the two Churches". "The purpose of the dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church said the two co-chairmen is to reinstate a full communion between these two Churches. This communion, based on the unity of faith, in accordance with the primitive Church, will find its full expression in the common celebration of the Eucharist". (continued)
