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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

Canadian Bishops Issue Pastoral Letter: Canada Must Demonstrate Every Effort to Welcome Immigrants and Refugees with Dignity


Monday, January 09 2006

(CCCB – Ottawa) … Never before over the past 70 years has such a large proportion of Canadians originated from other countries.  With almost 20 percent of Canadians being immigrants, a pastoral letter released today by the Canadian Catholic Bishops outlines a number of problems which they say are having…

Open Letter to Canadian Catholics from the Catholic Organization for Life and Family What Country for Tomorrow?


Monday, January 02 2006

On January 23, Canadians will choose a new government. The electoral campaign is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the type of country we wish to build and bequeath to future generations. As such, we find it important to emphasize certain considerations which have not received the attention they deserve…

Christmas Message from Archbishop André Gaumond, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops


Tuesday, December 06 2005

Experience teaches us how Christmas is truly a celebration for children. It celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1.14), humbly born in a poor stable in the heart of an ordinary family from Nazareth, in Galilee. In these early years of the 21st century, with the…

Letter from the Council for Reconciliation, Solidarity and Communion for Day of Prayer for Aboriginal Peoples


Monday, December 05 2005

To the faithful in parishes and dioceses across Canada: May the peace and grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Today, 12 December, is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. In the Catholic Church of Canada, this is also the Day of Prayer…

Message of the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the 2006 Federal Election


Tuesday, November 29 2005

Canadians are being called to the polls to elect a new government for our country. One of our most important rights is active participation in the democratic election of a government charged with the responsibility to manage the affairs of state and to see to the protection of the common…

Pastoral Message by the CCCB Permanent Council To be People of Life and for Life (Evangelium Vitae, no. 78): Reflections on the Implications of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act


Thursday, November 24 2005

1.      More than a year ago now, on 29 March 2004, after 15 years of consultations, draft proposals, bills, parliamentary committees and countrywide debates, as well as a Royal Commission, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act became law. 2.      Recently, a number of proposed regulations were published for implementing the legislation.…