Abstract

The annulment of the excommunications of 1054 by the reciprocal acts of 7 December 1965 is considered to be the symbol of the 'dialogue of charity' between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, which was to prepare the 'dialogue of truth' with one another. Yet far from being a mere preparation for theological dialogue, the dialogue of charity itself is essentially theological: it is a theology in action. It is precisely thanks to the acts of 1965 that it was possible to gain insight into the theological dimension of the dialogue of charity. The ecclesiological significance of these acts introduced a new theological paradigm in relations between Catholics and Orthodox, inviting them to develop a theology of the dialogue of charity.