About

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

CCCB statement regarding Motion 312


Tuesday, September 18 2012

Later this month, on September 21, Members of Parliament will continue debate on Motion 312, proposed by Mr. Stephen Woodworth, MP. A few days later, on September 26, they are scheduled to vote on the motion. It calls for the House of Commons to form a special committee which would review a statement in the Criminal Code of Canada that “a child becomes a human being only at…

CCCB Statement Regarding the Appeal of the British Columbia Supreme Court Decision on Assisted Suicide


Monday, July 16 2012

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes the decision of the Federal Government to appeal all aspects of the British Columbia Supreme Court decision on assisted suicide, rendered June 15, 2012. We agree with the statement by Federal Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson, that “laws surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide exist to protect…

Comment on the BC Supreme Court Decision Regarding Assisted Suicide


Monday, June 18 2012

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has learned with dismay of a ruling on assisted suicide by a judge of the British Columbia Supreme Court. The Catholic position on this question is clear. Human life is a gift from God. Therefore, as taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2280,…

Letter of the CCCB President on the emergency appeal for West Africa


Friday, June 08 2012

June 7, 2012 Dear brother Bishops, News has been emerging over the past months about the growing crisis in West Africa and the Sahel. An estimated 12 million people, including a million children, are at risk because of famine. Seven of the eight governments in this arid zone between the…

CCCB Statement on Raymond Lahey


Wednesday, May 16 2012

On May 4, 2011, then Bishop Raymond Lahey entered a plea of guilty in civil court to the possession of child pornography. He was sentenced in accordance with civil law on January 4, 2012. It remained for the Holy See to follow the canonical procedures in effect for such cases…

Pastoral Letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion from the Permanent Council of the CCCB


Monday, May 14 2012

Dear brothers and sisters, Throughout the 50 days of Eastertide, we are reminded that the Church is to witness to God and to faith in Jesus Christ. The Scripture readings in the liturgy from Easter Sunday to Pentecost recall how the first disciples were transformed by the Holy Spirit, filled…