This statement deals with a subject little known and poorly understood. This document is a primary effort to shed light on a part of the Universal Church generally shrouded with unfamiliarity. What is said of the Eastern Catholic Churches mutatis mutandis applies to all Eastern Christian Churches. The value of the Decree on Eastern Catholic Churches is unquestionable. However it is unfortunate that this document on a topic which needs and deserves so much attention today has received the least consideration of all sixteen Vatican II statements.
Evidence indicates that it has received the least attention of all in study and in print.
Seldom does one find it cited or commented upon. Some think it is the document most weakly implemented. Current circumstances in the life of the Church worldwide draws attention anew to the Decree on the Eastern Catholic Churches. The following precis attempts to focus attention on the identity and mission of the Eastern Catholic Churches. This precis is a concise summary of the essential points of concern expressed in verbatim excerpts from the document.