The document “Synodality and Primacy during the First Millennium: Towards a Common Understanding in Service to the Unity of the Church”, approved by the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church in its last Plenary Session in Chieti from 16 to 21 September, “is a step in a journey that is likely to be long”. Mgr. Andrea Palmieri, Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said this in an interview with Vatican Radio, explaining that “the Document is nonetheless an important step, because it sets the First Millennium as a reference point, an example, a model for the resolution of outstanding ecclesiological issues. And there we find the references, that are not just useful but also necessary, to conceive the exercise of the primacy in the context of synodality, also in a Church that is finally reconciled”. Now – Mgr. Palmieri went on to say – “dialogue has a common foundation on which to continue its study of the structures in the Church that can achieve communion between all Churches in the East and in the West. It sets, as a common reference, the experience of the Primacy during the First Millennium and the interpretation agreed upon by Catholics and Orthodox. Although it is clear that this document does not solve all the difficulties, it opens a path. And gives us hope for the future”.

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