Liturgical rites and Churches

Three distinct terms

Rites, Churches, and communion

A liturgical family groups related traditions of worship. A Church sui iuris is a community of Catholic faithful united under a hierarchy and recognized as such by the Church’s supreme authority. Full communion joins the faithful through profession of faith, the sacraments, and ecclesiastical governance.

Churches can share a liturgical family while remaining distinct Churches. Shared prayers alone do not determine their governance or sacramental discipline.