'Oriente Cattolico': an opus that speaks of the ancient and persecuted Churches

Published on the occasion of the centenary of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, the three volumes are intended to make known the rich and varied reality of the Eastern Churches to Christians in general and those who study it and be "a tribute to the Churches of the Christian East, Catholics and Orthodox, and to their many martyrs and confessors of the faith ".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - To make known the rich and varied reality of the Eastern Churches to Christians in general and to those who study it and be "a tribute to the Churches of the Christian, Catholic and Orthodox, and to their many martyrs. and confessors of faith ". These are the reasons that have led the Congregation for the Oriental Churches to promote the publication of the Oriente Cattolico, a compendium that systematically collects useful information on Eastern Catholic Churches.

Published on the occasion of the celebrations for the centenary of the dicastery and more than 40 years after the 1974 edition, the work, in three volumes, aims to be a tool to shed light on Eastern Christianity in the world and on the problems related to it.

"We are fully aware – reads the introduction - that the Eastern Catholic Churches over the years have been considered at the same time bridges and living stones. However, these Churches have a self-consciousness that goes beyond mere commonplaces patterns, and they live a full ecclesial life with great seriousness, rich and responsible, aware of their own specificity and uniqueness, and of their equal dignity to the other Churches of the West. Because of their fidelity to the liturgical and spiritual patrimony that they share with the Orthodox sister Churches, they can promote the full communion so desired ".

"In a context of epochal upheaval and on the occasion of the jubilee of this dicastery, the Oriente Cattolico is a sign of trust in God for the future, and a strong invitation to never lose hope. This work is also a sign of gratitude to the pastorss, witnesses of hope, who have remained with their flock, even amid unspeakable suffering and tears ".

The realization of the three volumes involved a rethinking of the formulation of the ecclesiological categories and an update of the historical profile. It also presents bibliographical appendices and cartographic sections that highlight the presence of Eastern Catholics on all continents.

The work is also available electronically in the Kindle format and has a dedicated internet portal at www.orientecattolico.com.