Major Step in Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue

To Be Discussed at February 20th Symposium

Two internationally recognized scholars will discuss the 2007 "Ravenna Agreed Statement" and the continuing Catholic-Orthodox dialogue at the 2008 Tachmindji Event, a symposium on February 20, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Caldwell Hall Auditorium at the Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, D.C.

The symposium, which is open to the public, features Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at Oxford University from 1966-2001, and perhaps the best-known Orthodox teacher and scholar in the world today, and Father Paul McPartlan, Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic and Ecumenical Theology at Catholic University and a member of the Vatican's International Theological Commission.

The 2007 Ravenna Agreed Statement "was a significant step in the Catholic-Orthodox dialogue and a major move towards a common understanding of the Church," says Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium. "Both Metropolitan Kallistos and Father McPartlan are leaders in the continuing dialogue and will no doubt shed much light on what is happening in this important ecumenical process."

The Washington Theological Consortium, sponsor of the annual Tachmindji Event, is a group of 18 seminaries and related institutions in the Washington, D.C. region.

For more information about the Washington Theological Consortium, go to http://www.washtheocon.org/home.html. For more information about the event:

Contact: Marguerite Connolly

Phone: 202-832-2675; Email: marguerite@washtheocon.org