On 24-26 April 2018, a seminar was organized by the foundation Pro Oriente at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, entitled: “Crossroads of Theological Dialogues. Reflecting on new Perspectives for Orthodox-Catholic Encounters”. The aim of this gathering of selected representatives from the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, North American Orthodox Catholic Consultations, Joint Commission of the German Bishops’ Conference and Orthodox Bishops’ Conference in Germany, Joint Catholic-Orthodox Committee of France, Saint Irenaeus Joint Orthodox-Catholic Working Group and Pro Oriente Commission of Young Orthodox and Catholic Theologians, was to make better known the work of each group and encourage synergies between them as the Joint International Commission is entering in a new stage of work. Among the participants were the two co-presidents of the Joint International Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church — Cardinal Kurt Koch and Archbishop Job of Telmessos.
The inspiring and frank discussions have proved that the path engaged by the Joint International Commission at the meeting of its coordinating committee last September in Leros is the right one and at the same time have emphasized that the fear of fundamentalism is the major threat today for the Ecumenical Movement in general and for the Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue in particular.