Conference marks anniversary of Vatican II decree on Eastern churches

Published: 2004-11-19

ROME (CNS) -- The Second Vatican Council passed its decrees on ecumenism and on the Eastern churches on the same day 40 years ago, committing the Catholic Church not only to tolerating diversity, but recognizing it as part of the church's tradition, said Cardinal Ignace Moussa Daoud. The cardinal, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches and former patriarch of the Syrian Catholic Church, said the council called on Eastern Catholics to be part of the search for Christian unity by being faithful to the ancient traditions they share with the Orthodox. Cardinal Daoud spoke at the opening of a Nov. 18-19 conference at Rome's Oriental Institute celebrating the 40th anniversary of the decree on Eastern churches.

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