On May 28, 1987 Pope John Paul II addressed the bishops of India. He has earnestly requested them to implement the provisions of the council: “In fidelity then to the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and in view of the present circumstances prevailing in the Indian context, after having closely examined all the documentation which has been presented to the Holy See, as well as the results of the meetings of the Pontifical commission appointed at my direction to study the inter-ritual problems existing in India, by virtue of my office as supreme pastor of the Universal Church I wish to state the following:

1. The Bishops of each of the three Rites have the right to establish their own Episcopal bodies in accordance with their own ecclesiastical legislation. The national conference of all the Catholic Bishops of India is to continue for questions of common concern and of a national and supra-ritual character, eg:- Doctrine, Morals, Organizations of a national and supra-ritual character, questions involving the Catholic Church and the Government etc.
2. As the Decree on the Catholic Eastern Churches points out, all the Churches under the pastoral governance of the Roman Pontiff, have the same rights and obligations, including what concerns the preaching of the Gospel, always “under the guidance of the Roman Pontiff” (Orientalium Ecclessiarum)
3. It will be the task of the catholic Bishops of India, if necessary through a special commission of the National Conference referred to above, to organize and coordinate the missionary, activity in the country, in such a way as to promote an evangelization that will be, truly effective and yet avoid all danger of confusion and any spirit of rivalry
4. Regarding the pastoral care of the faithful of the Eastern Rites who are living in Latin Rite dioceses, in accordance with the spirit and letter of the councilor decrees “Christus DQminus” 23,3 and “Orientalium Ecclessiarum” 4, the Latin ordinaries of such dioceses are to provide as soon as possible for an adequate pastoral care of the faithful of these Eastern Rites, through the ministry of the priest, or through the parishes of the Rite, where this would be indicated, or through an Episcopal Vicar endowed with necessary faculties, where circumstances would so indicate (cf.476; 518) This may even have Episcopal rank should this be determined as fitting (“Christus Dominus” 23,3), where circumstances would so indicate, the Apostolic See will establish a proper hierarchy, for such faithful. This will be done through the two Roman Congregations responsible for the affairs of the Eastern and Latin Rites, and after consultation with the Latin Bishops involved.” [ The complete text of the address was published in New Leader on 23rd August, 1987].