|
5. History, tradition and abundant ecclesiastical institutions bear
outstanding witness to the great merit owing to the Eastern Churches
by the universal Church.[5] The Sacred Council, therefore, not
only accords to this ecclesiastical and spiritual heritage the high
regard which is its due and rightful praise, but also unhesitatingly
looks on it as the heritage of the universal Church. For this reason
it solemnly declares that the Churches of the East, as much as those
of the West, have a full right and are in duty bound to rule
themselves, each in accordance with its own established disciplines,
since all these are praiseworthy by reason of their venerable
antiquity, more harmonious with the character of their faithful and
more suited to the promotion of the good of souls.
6. All members of the Eastern Rite should know and be convinced
that they can and should always preserve their legitimate liturgical
rite and their established way of life, and that these may not be
altered except to obtain for themselves an organic improvement. All
these, then, must be observed by the members of the Eastern rites
themselves. Besides, they should attain to on ever greater knowledge
and a more exact use of them, and, if in their regard they have fallen
short owing to contingencies of times and persons, they should take
steps to return to their ancestral traditions.
Those who, by reason of their office or apostolic ministries, are in
frequent communication with the Eastern Churches or their faithful
should be instructed according as their office demands in the knowledge
and veneration of the rites, discipline, doctrine, history and
character of the members of the Eastern rites.[6] To enhance the
efficacy of their apostolate, Religious and associations of the Latin
Rite working in Eastern countries or among Eastern faithful are
earnestly counseled to found houses or even provinces of the Eastern
rite, as far as this can be done.[7]
|
|