RELATIONS WITH THE BRETHREN OF THE SEPARATED
CHURCHES
24.
The Eastern Churches in communion with the Apostolic See of Rome have a special
duty of promoting the unity of all Christians, especially Eastern Christians,
in accordance with the principles of the decree, "About Ecumenism,"
of this Sacred Council, by prayer in the first place, and by the example of
their lives, by religious fidelity to the ancient Eastern traditions, by a
greater knowledge of each other, by collaboration and a brotherly regard for
objects and feelings.29
25.
If any separated Eastern Christian should, under the guidance of the grace of
the Holy Spirit, join himself to the unity of Catholics, no more should be
required of him than what a bare profession of the Catholic faith demands.
Eastern clerics, seeing that a valid priesthood is preserved among them, are
permitted to exercise the Orders they possess on joining the unity of the
Catholic Church, in accordance with the regulations established by the
competent authority.30
26.
Common participation in worship (communicatio in sacris) which harms the unity
of the Church or involves formal acceptance of error or the danger of
aberration in the faith, of scandal and indifferentism, is forbidden by divine
law.32 On the other hand, pastoral experience shows clearly that, as
regards our Eastern brethren, there should be taken into consideration the
different cases of individuals, where neither the unity of the Church is hurt
nor are verified the dangers that must be avoided, but where the needs of the
salvation of souls and their spiritual good are impelling motives. For that
reason the Catholic Church has always adopted and now adopts rather a mild
policy, offering to all the means of salvation and an example of charity among
Christians, through participation in the sacraments and in other sacred
functions and things. With this in mind, "lest because of the harshness of
our judgment we be an obstacle to those seeking salvation" 31 and
in order more and more to promote union with the Eastern Churches separated
from us, the Sacred Council lays down the following policy.
27.
Without prejudice to the principles noted earlier, Eastern Christians who are
in fact separated in good faith from the Catholic Church, if they ask of their
own accord and have the right dispositions, may be admitted to the sacraments
of Penance, the Eucharist and the Anointing of the Sick. Further, Catholics may
ask for these same sacraments from those non-Catholic ministers whose churches
possess valid sacraments, as often as necessity or a genuine spiritual benefit
recommends such a course and access to a Catholic priest is physically or
morally impossible.33
28.
Further, given the same principles, common participation by Catholics with
their Eastern separated brethren in sacred functions, things and places is
allowed for a just cause.34
29.
This conciliatory policy with regard to "communicatio in sacris"
(participation in things sacred) with the brethren of the separated Eastern
Churches is put into the care and control of the local hierarchs, in order
that, by combined counsel among themselves and, if need be, after consultation
also with the hierarchs of the separated churches, they may by timely and
effective regulations and norms direct the relations among Christians.
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