Documents
Bishops Release “Template for Pastors on the Evangelization of Young People in Canada Today: Praedica Verbum”
Sunday, November 26 2023
This template, titled Praedica Verbum (“Preach the Word”) and developed by the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine, is intended as a resource for pastors, officially mandated pastoral agents, and others in the Church who work with young people. Focusing on what the Church calls “the initial proclamation of the Gospel,” it is intended to provide helpful information on the how and what of evangelization. The template…
Burying the Dead, Grieving Well – A Guide for Catholics on Bodily Disposition and Grief
Thursday, November 24 2022
In recent decades, there have been numerous changes to the treatment of the bodily remains of the deceased within our Canadian and North American societies, due to rapid developments in the technologies used in bodily disposition. The new practices concerning the treatment of the bodies of the departed have direct consequences on the way we live out our grief. They also influence our ability to…
Science and Catholic Faith (2019)
Tuesday, January 15 2019
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), through its Commission for Doctrine, has released a new document, titled Science and Catholic Faith. Illustrated with colourful posters, it is intended for students at the secondary school level, who, when learning about their faith, often ask the question, "Are faith and science compatible?". It can be read on its own or can be used as a tool…
Message from CCCB for 50th anniversary of Charismatic Renewal in Canada
Wednesday, January 31 2018
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal in Canada which is being celebrated during 2018, the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released a message, dated 25 January 2018, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle. The message expresses “thanks to the Lord for the blessings of God which Catholic charismatics have brought our dioceses and…
Discovering the Unity of Life and Love – A Reflection on the Foundations for a Theology of Human Love
Thursday, September 21 2017
(CCCB – Ottawa)... The Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a new document entitled "Discovering the Unity of Life and Love – A Reflection on the Foundations for a Theology of Human Love". At the same time as reflecting on the images and conflicting messages about the meaning of life and of love in contemporary Canadian society,…
The Co-responsibility of the lay Faithful in the Church and the World
Friday, September 23 2016
(CCCB – Ottawa)... The Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a new document entitled "The Co-responsibility of the lay Faithful in the Church and the World". This pastoral letter explores the great responsibility of the laity in God's plan for the world, in which they are not simply collaborators of the clergy but are truly "co-responsible" for…
The Beauty of Mercy: Pope Francis and Confession
Wednesday, August 10 2016
To aid Canadian Catholics in celebrating the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which ends this November 20, the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a text entitled The Beauty of Mercy: Pope Francis and Confession. It is a series of quotations from the Holy Father on the importance and beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and contains likewise words…
The Missionary Dynamic of the Parish Today
Monday, December 08 2014
The Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a new document entitled "The Missionary Dynamic of the Parish Today". Written from the current Canadian context, the text emphasizes that "spreading faith in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, is the Church's fundamental and primary mission" (no. 1). The reflection is primarily for pastors and those who serve in…
Jesus and Salvation: A Lenten Reflection
Thursday, April 10 2014
Why do we need a Saviour? What is salvation? These are some of the questions that are explored in this reflection offered by the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). Not intended to be a dogmatic or systematic treatment of the issue, the text is provided as an opportunity for theological reflection on the meaning of the Paschal Mystery…
The Essential Elements of Evangelization Today
Thursday, January 09 2014
The Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a text entitled “The Essential Elements of Evangelization Today”. Written from the context of the Canadian pluralist society, this new 16-page document is intended not only for priests, consecrated men and women, and those actively involved in pastoral work, but also for “all Catholics who desire to understand better and…
List of Pastoral and Practical Recommendations in Verbum Domini
Tuesday, January 15 2013
What this List is and How to Use it The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini was different from many other papal documents in that it made numerous recommendations of a pastoral and/or practical nature. These recommendations, which apply variously to all in the Church – both clergy and laity – are gathered here in a topical index so that they may be accessed easily. It…
The Second Vatican Council: What was it and why is it important today?
Thursday, October 11 2012
October 11, 2012, is the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. To commemorate this, the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has published a pastoral letter titled The Second Vatican Council: What was it and why is it important today? Its publication is part of the many celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary, including today’s celebration…
Pastoral letter to young people with same-sex attraction
Monday, June 27 2011
CCCB – Ottawa, June 27, 2011. The Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released today a letter on pastoral ministry to young people with same-sex attraction. “As Bishops, we wish to address the pastoral needs of adolescents and young adults who question their sexual identity or experience feelings of same-sex attraction. We are concerned for the spiritual good of all…
Living Chastity Today
Tuesday, January 25 2011
CCCB – Ottawa, January 25, 2011 The Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released today a pastoral letter to young people on chastity. “Chastity is a very real challenge, particularly for young people in our country today. We want to assure those young people who are struggling to live a life of chastity that their bishops stand prayerfully with them…
Summary of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini by the Commission for Doctrine, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Wednesday, November 17 2010
Order Now at CCCB Publications Service This Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI is a response to the 2008 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, whose theme was The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. One of the goals of the Synod was to review the implementation of the directives on Scripture found in the Second…
Popular Piety in Canada: Reflections on some popular expressions of the faith
Friday, October 22 2010
(CCCB – Ottawa, October 25, 2010)… The Commission for Doctrine of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) released today a document on the importance and role of popular piety in Canada. Entitled Popular Piety in Canada: Reflections on Some Popular Expressions of the Faith, its release was timed to celebrate the recent canonization of Saint Brother André, whose life and work illustrate the enduring…
The Word of God in Scripture
Thursday, September 04 2008
The Word of God in Scripture: How to read and interpret the Bible (PDF Format) Re-released on the occasion of the Synod on The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, 2008.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Thursday, February 28 2008
A Theological and Pastoral Reflection for the Ministers of the Sacrament The Sacrament of Reconciliation: A Theological and Pastoral Reflection for the Ministers of the Sacrament, copyright © Concacan Inc., 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photographic, or mechanical, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the…
Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte: meditations, reflection questions and group theme sessions
Wednesday, September 06 2006
The Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte is available to groups for study, reflection and planning. This letter has great value for those who love the Church and who exercise some responsibility in its pastoral ministry or service. It is filled with enthusiasm, challenge, and pastoral guidance. It can be the catalyst for a fruitful reflection by a parish or diocese on its pastoral ministry. It…
A CCCB Pastoral Letter: The Charismatic Renewal in Canada 2003
Tuesday, September 05 2006
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal in Canada, we, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, wish to address this pastoral letter to all the faithful. Click here to read the pastoral letter.