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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.

CONCLUSION

30. The Sacred Council feels great joy in the fruitful zealous collaboration of the Eastern and the Western
Catholic Churches and at the same time declares: All these directives of law are laid down in view of the
present situation until such time as the Catholic Church and the separated Eastern Churches come together
into complete unity.

Meanwhile, however, all Christians, Eastern as well as Western, are earnestly asked to pray to God fervently
and assiduously, nay, indeed daily, that, with the aid of the most holy Mother of God, all may become one.
Let them pray also that the strength and the consolation of the Holy Spirit may descend copiously upon all
those many Christians of whatsoever church they be who endure suffering and deprivations for their
unwavering avowal of the name of Christ.

"Love one another with fraternal charity, anticipating one another with honor" (Rom.12:10).

Each and all these matters which are set forth in this decree have been favorably voted on by the Fathers of
the Council. And we, by the apostolic authority given us by Christ and in union with the Fathers, approve,
decree and establish them in the Holy Spirit and command that they be promulgated for the glory of God.

Given in Rome at St. Peter's, November 21, 1964

NOTES

(1) Leo XIII, Litt. Ap. Orientalium dignitas, 30 nov. 1894, in Leonis XIII Acta, vol. XIV, pp. 201-202.

(2) S. Leo IX, Litt. In terra pax, an. 1053: Ut enim; Innocentius III, Synodus Lateranensis IV, an. 1215, cap.
IV: . Licet Graccos; Litt. Inter quatuor, 2 aug. 1206: Postulasti postmodum; Innocentius IV, Ep. Cum de
cetero, 27 aug. 1247; Ep. Sub catholicae, 6 mart. 1254, proem.; Nicolaus III, Instructio Istud est memoriale,
9 oct. 1278; Leo X, Litt. Ap. Accepimus nuper, 18 maii 1521; Paulus III, Litt. Ap. Dudum, 23 dec. 1534;
Pius IV, Const. Romanus Pontifex, 16 febr. 1564, 5; Clemens VIII, Const. Magnus Dominus, 23 dec. 1595,
10; Paulus V, Const. Solet circumspeata, 10 dec. 1615, 3; Benedictus XIV, Ep. Enc. Demandatam, 24 dec.
1743, 3; Ep. Enc. Allatae sunt, 26 iun. 1755, 3, 6-19, 32; Pius VI, Litt. Enc. Catholicae communionis, 24
maii 1787; Pius IX, Litt. In suprema, 6 ian. 1848, 3; Litt. Ap. Ecclesiam Christ;, 26 nov. 1853; Const.
Romani Pontificis, 6 ian. 1862; Leo XIII, Litt. Ap. Praeclara, 20 iun. 1894, n. 7; Litt. Ap. Orientalium
dignitas, 30 nov. 1894, proem.; etc.

(3) Pius XII, Motu proprio Cleri sanctitati, 2 iun. 1957, can. 4.

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