Ottawa – May 14, 2010 - In his message for the 44^th World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI invited priests to “make astute use of the unique possibilities offered by modern communications.”  The Bishops of Canada have answered the call.

Today, Most Reverend Pierre Morissette, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholics Bishops (CCCB) unveiled the new and improved CCCB web site.

“The revamped site still contains all of the information everyone has come to expect to find on www.cccb.ca,” said the President “but with a sleek, dynamic new look, functional and user-friendly interface and many additional features such as a Bishop’s Blog, article sharing over Facebook and more.”

Fourteen years ago, recognizing the growing potential of the Internet, the CCCB launched its web site. It was the first Bishops Conference ever to do so. Since then, however, the Web has evolved to the point where simply being online is no longer enough.

In the words of the Holy Father, “the increased availability of the new technologies demands greater responsibility on the part of those called to proclaim the Word, but it also requires them to become more focused, efficient and compelling in their efforts.”

“Teach - Govern - Sanctify”, the role of the Bishop, was selected as the tagline. The new site will better assist the Bishops in their mission of service to the Church in Canada. In their new blog, Canada’s Bishops will provide a first-person account of how this role is fulfilled here today and in just a few clicks, visitors will discover who their Bishops are and what they do.

The theme of this year’s World Communications Day is “The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word.” It challenges priests (and Bishops) to bring the message of God’s love to the cyberspace, and to do so with wisdom and authenticity of the ministerial priesthood.

“This World Communications Days, I invite you to participate fully in this virtual community by visiting authentic Catholic web sites such as CCCB.ca and the website of your local diocese,” added the President.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. It was founded in 1943 and officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948. After the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), it became part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences, established in 1965, as an integral part of the life of the universal Church.

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For further information please contact:

René Laprise
Director of Communications
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Tel.: 613-241-9461 #225
Cell: 613-323-0895
Fax: 613-241-8117
www.cccb.ca