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Decrees, Statements, Letters, Briefs

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) releases numerous official documents every year. Some are under the form of decrees, while others are public statements, pastoral letters, or briefs. Only a few documents published before 1996 are available online.

List of official documents by the CCCB in chronological order

Pastoral Statement for the Catholics of Canada on the Report “Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach”


Friday, February 26 2016

Dear brothers and sisters, The Special Joint Committee of the Government of Canada on “Physician-Assisted Dying” this past February 25 released its report, Medical Assistance in Dying: A Patient-Centred Approach. The report, in part, recommends: – That assisted suicide be available to those with psychiatric conditions (Recommendation 3) – That psychological suffering…

2016 Meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America Concludes with a Sense of urgency to “Make Mercy Practical!”


Thursday, February 25 2016

(TAMPA, FL, February 25, 2016) – Today, 14 Bishops representing the Catholic Church in Canada, Latin America and the United States concluded three days of prayer and dialogue at the 38th Meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America. Gathering together after the two visits of Pope Francis to the region,…

Message for Lent 2016 - ‘I have set before you life and death’


Wednesday, February 10 2016

My brothers and sisters in Christ, The readings of the liturgy for the opening days of Lent invite us to focus on some basic questions as we begin our journey through this sacred season. What does it mean to repent and believe the Good News? What difference should faith make…

CCCB President’s Letter Following the Tragedy in La Loche


Tuesday, January 26 2016

The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has written to the Most Reverend Murray Chatlain, Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas. In his letter, Bishop Crosby conveys the condolences and prayers of the Bishops and faithful of Canada following the recent…

Oblates of Mary Immaculate Celebrate 200th Anniversary


Monday, January 25 2016

Two hundred years ago, on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Eugene de Mazenod and a small group of companions formed a society which became the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. To mark this anniversary, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of…

CCCB President's Letter on the Death of Six Volunteers in Burkina Faso


Thursday, January 21 2016

The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has written to His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada. In his letter, Bishop Crosby conveys the condolences and prayers of the Bishops of Canada…