Restrictions on non-Latin Churches

[Vico]

There “is” something of a restriction (I actually don’t know if it is a restriction from any hierarch, as I can’t find any documentation on it, but it is a rule of thumb that is generally followed) on the expansion of the Eastern Churches in Eastern Europe. Generally, they are forbidden from erecting parishes in traditionally Orthodox areas that do not have an existing EC presence. This is to prevent prothelyzation (sp?) of the Orthodox.

It is relatively recent development see the Balamand Declaration (1993) and Ravenna Document (2007).

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/ch_orthodox_docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930624_lebanon_en.html

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/ch_orthodox_docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20071013_documento-ravenna_en.html

There are certain areas that are under the competency of the Congregation for Eastern Churches (CEC) for all matters that refer to the Holy See – ad normam iuris – for Eastern Catholics and also Latin:

Egypt, Sinai Peninsula, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.

The Vatican Secretariate of State is competent for constitution, provision, and alteration of jurisdiciton over both Eastern Catholic and Latin Catholic institutions in a number of areas, in conjunction with CEC, Congregation for Bishops, or Congregation fo rthe Evangelization of Peoples:

Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bielorussia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldovia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.