Catholic Teaching on the Eastern Churches

"The Catholic Church holds in high esteem the...Eastern Churches, their liturgical rites, ecclesiastical traditions, and Christian way of life" (Vatican II, "Decree on the Eastern Churches," no.1)

"Our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters are very conscious of being the living bearers of this tradition, together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. The members of the Catholic Church of the Latin tradition must also be fully acquainted with this treasure."(Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, "Orientale Lumen," no. 1)

"In the East are to be found the riches of spiritual traditions which are given expression in monastic life especially ... " (Pope John Paul II, "Orientale Lumen," no. 6)

"The Eastern Churches have a duty [in America] to maintain their own...doctrinal, liturgical and monastic witness." (Pope John Paul II, "Exhortation to the Catholic Church in the Americas," 1998).