Under the honorary presidency of the Most Reverend André Gazaille, Bishop of Nicolet, the Musée des religions du monde in Nicolet, Quebec, is presenting a special exhibit on the pastoral visit of Pope John Paul II across Canada in 1984. Titled 1984… je me souviens (“1984 … I remember”) the exhibit is open to the public from May 16, 2014, until September 2015. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) collaborated in the preparation of the exposition by providing access to a number of archival photographs, and by agreeing that the 1984 Popemobile be transported from the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. The Popemobile, which the Holy Father used in travelling to a number of the major gatherings across the country, is a major focus of the exhibit. The exposition was launched May 15. Among those participating were representatives of the exposition’s major sponsor, Radio-Canada (the CBC French-language network), together with Bishop Gazaille and other guests, including CCCB Archivist Mr. Bruce Henry, who representedGeneral Secretary Msgr. Patrick Powers, P.H.

The visit of the Pope in 1984 was a memorable moment for all the nation and in the history of the Church in Canada. Saint John Paul II became the first Pope to set foot on Canadian soil when he launched a 12-day pastoral visit. After arriving on September 9 in the Quebec City suburb of Ste. Foy, the Holy Father began a 15,000-kilometre marathon that took him from the Atlantic to the Pacific. When his journey ended on September 20, he had visited Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Montreal, St. John’s, Moncton, Halifax, Toronto, Midland, Winnipeg/St. Boniface, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Vancouver and what was then referred to as Ottawa-Hull. Millions of Canadians turned out to greet him, to pray with him and to celebrate.

Three years later, Saint John Paul II returned to Canada to meet with the people of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. During his first visit in 1984, severe weather conditions had prevented him from visiting the Indigenous Peoples from the North. However, he had promised to return, which he did in June 1987. He later made one final trip to Canada in July 2002 for the World Youth Days in Toronto.

Link to the museum

(Photos : © Concacan Inc., 1984)

(CCCB – Ottawa)… The Most Reverend Gérard Drainville, Bishop Emeritus of Amos, died on May 11, 2014, at the age of 83. He had been named Bishop of Amos by Pope Paul VI on April 13, 1978, and retired because of health problems on May 3, 2004, at the age of 73 after more than 25 years as Bishop of the diocese.

Bishop Drainville was born in l’Ile Dupas, Quebec, on May 20, 1930. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliette on May 30, 1953, by Bishop Édouard Jetté, he was ordained Bishop on June 12, 1978, in the Cathedral of Amos by His Eminence Maurice Cardinal Roy, then Archbishop of Québec and Primate of the Church in Canada. Prior to his episcopal ordination, Bishop Drainville had taught biology in Joliette and also for several years in Madagascar. Considered a pioneer in research on the Saguenay Fjord, he received an honorary doctorate in 2004 from the Université du Québec à Rimouski for his contributions to Quebec oceanography.

During his episcopal ministry, Bishop Drainville served on several Commissions and Committees of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as well as of the Assembly of Québec Catholic Bishops. As member of the CCCB, he served on its Permanent Council (1990-1993 and 1995-1998), its former Commission for Social Affairs (1981-1991), its former Commission for Non-Believers, and its former Commission for Canon Law/Inter-Rite. These have since been succeeded by the Commission for Justice and Peace, the Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue, and the Standing Committee for Canon Law. From 1980 to 1986, Bishop Drainville was also one of two CCCB delegates on the National Council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

The Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, May 20, the day of his 84th birthday, at 10:30 am in Sainte-Thérèse-d’Avila Cathedral, Amos. His body will lie in state in the Cathedral during the afternoon and evening of May 19 and on the morning before his funeral.

The Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has released his message for the second National Week for Life and the Family. The National Week will be celebrated across Canada, May 11-18, 2014, in accordance with the plans, priorities and resources of each local diocese. In his message, Archbishop Durocher recalls that following the footsteps of the newly canonized Saints, Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II, “Pope Francis has also made the family one of his chief concerns.” “This October”, the President continues, “I will participate in an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops he has called to reflect on the challenges facing families in today’s cultures. This will be followed one year later by a second, Ordinary Synod that will propose concrete ways the Church can help all of Christ’s faithful respond to these challenges. I invite all of us to start praying now for the success of both these Synods.”

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) has also issued a message for the 2014 Week for Life and the Family. The text, on the theme Families let us share the joy of knowing Christ, is available on the COLF website.

Link to the message of CCCB President

Link to COLF Message

Ottawa, May 5, 2014 – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Hanna Zora as Eparchial Bishop of the Chaldean Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto. At the same time, Pope Francis appointed the Reverend Daoud Baffro as the Eparchy’s Apostolic Administrator, sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis. Archbishop Zora had turned 75 this past March, the age Eparchial Bishops are required to offer their resignation to their “Patriarch if it is the case of an Eparchial Bishop exercising authority inside the territorial boundaries of a patriarchal Church … in other cases, it is submitted to the Roman Pontiff” (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 210).

At the time of his appointment, Father Baffro was Vicar General of the Eparchy and Pastor of Holy Family Chaldean Parish, Windsor, Ontario. His appointment as Apostolic Administrator is at the disposition of the Holy See and for as long as the see is without a Bishop. In announcing this appointment of May 3, 2014, Vatican Information Service also indicated that Father Baffro will serve in the capacity of Apostolic Administrator without being named Bishop. Apostolic Administrators often are Bishops.

The Most Reverend Zora had formerly been Archbishop of the Chaldean Archeparchy of Ahwaz, Iran. When named to the new Canadian Chaldean Eparchy on June 10, 2011, Archbishop Zora was serving as pastor of Good Shepherd Chaldean Parish in North York, Ontario, which until then had been under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto. He was born in Batnaia, Iraq, on March 15, 1939; ordained priest on June 10, 1962; appointed Eparchial Archbishop of Ahwaz on May 1, 1974, and ordained Bishop on October 27 the same year.

The Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchal Chaldean Church, after consultation with the Holy See, established the Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto of the Chaldeans in June, 2011. This decision also involved the Holy See’s consultation with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Eparchy includes all Chaldean Catholics in Canada.

The number of Chaldean Catholics in Canada has greatly increased over recent years, especially because of Iraqi refugees coming to Canada. Many of these have settled in Toronto and Vancouver, as well as Ottawa, with the assistance of local Catholic immigration centres and are also often sponsored by local Roman Catholic parishes. The Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate is based in Baghdad, Iraq. Chaldean Catholics have traditionally been located in Iraq, Iran and Syria.

The Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto is the only Chaldean Eparchy in Canada. It has 38,000 Catholics, served by four priests.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops was officially represented at today’s canonizations by its President, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, and its Vice President, the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton. Other Bishops from Canada were also present, including His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of the Church in Canada; His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto; the Most Reverend Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal; the Most Reverend Gerard P. Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines; and the Most Reverend Anthony Tonnos, Bishop emeritus of Hamilton.

Link to the statement by Archbishop Paul-André Durocher

Pope Francis has convoked the second International Conference on Human Trafficking, which will take place April 9 and 10, 2014, at the Holy See. The Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), will be representing the Bishops of Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have also delegated a representative, Inspector André Gauthier of the International Liaison Coordination Center – Human Smuggling Project Investigations. This International Conference, under the responsibility of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and organized by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, is being chaired by His Eminence Vincent Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

The event will gather Church authorities and representatives of police services from over 20 countries for two days of discussions on “Combating Human Trafficking: Church and law enforcement in partnership”. During an audience at the closing of the conference, the Holy Father will meet with victims, participants and police chiefs. A joint statement will be released at the end of the two-day session during a news conference.

Link to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Website

Link to the news report by Vatican Information Service

(CCCB – Ottawa)… His Holiness Pope Francis today accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Nicola De Angelis, C.F.I.C., as Bishop of Peterborough, and named as his successor the Most Reverend William Terrence McGrattan. At the time of his appointment, the Bishop-elect was Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto. Bishop De Angelis has been responsible for the Diocese of Peterborough for the past 12 years. He had offered his resignation to the Holy Father when reaching the age of 75, as required by the Code of Canon Law. At the same time as announcing he had accepted the resignation of Bishop De Angelis, the Holy Father also announced that he appointed him Apostolic Administrator of Peterborough until the new Bishop takes canonical possession of thes Diocese.

Born in London, Ontario, on 19 September 1956, Bishop William Terrence McGrattan studied at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, Ontario, where he obtained a Master’s of Divinity in conjunction with the University of Western Ontario. Following his ordination to the priesthood on 2 May 1987, he pursued studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, receiving a licentiate in 1992. Following several pastoral appointments within the Diocese of London, in 1997 he was appointed Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary, London, a position he was holding when appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto on November 6, 2009. As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Bishop McGrattan serves on the Episcopal Commission for Doctrine, in addition to being the Bishop ponens with the Catholic Health Alliance of Canada and the National Spiritual Advisor with the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

Bishop De Angelis was born 23 January 1939 in Pozzaglia Sabina, Italy. He came to Canada at the end of the 1960s and was ordained a priest in 1970. After serving in two Toronto parishes, he was Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Toronto, 1980 to 1984. From 1984 to 1992, he served in Rome as General Treasurer and then General Superior of his religious community, the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. In 1992 he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, and later appointed Bishop of Peterborough on December 28, 2002. As a member of the CCCB, Bishop De Angelis served on the former Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs, 1995 to 1999. He also assists the Holy See as a member of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants.

According to the CCCB 2014 Directory, the Diocese of Peterborough has 65 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of 99,785, served by 65 diocesan priests, 13 priests who are members of religious communities, six permanent deacons, 79 religious Sisters and three lay pastoral assistants.

(CCCB – Ottawa)… The Most Reverend M. Pearse Lacey, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Toronto, died on April 2, 2014, at the age of 97. He had been named Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto on May 3, 1979, and retired on May 31, 1993.

Bishop Lacey was born in Toronto on November 26, 1916. He was ordained a priest on May 23, 1943, in St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto, by then Archbishop, later Cardinal, James C. McGuigan. He was appointed a Prelate of Honour with the title of Monsignor on September 13, 1967. On May 3, 1979, Monsignor Lacey was named Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, assisting then Archbishop, soon later Cardinal, G. Emmett Carter. Ordained Bishop on June 21, 1979, in St. Michael’s Cathedral, Bishop Lacey was appointed Vicar for the western region of the Archdiocese of Toronto as well as Vicar for Priest Personnel. After reaching the age of 75, he offered his resignation to the Holy Father, which was accepted on May 31, 1993. During his episcopal ministry, Bishop Lacey served on the former CCCB Commission for the Ministries and the Apostolate, 1983 to 1987.

There will be visitation on Sunday, April 6, 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm, at R.S. Kane Funeral Home, Toronto, with prayers during visitation at 8:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, April 7, at 11:00 am, at Blessed Trinity Church, Toronto.

The second National Week for Life and the Family will be celebrated across Canada May 11-18, 2014, in accordance with the plans, priorities and resources of each diocese. As agreed by the Permanent Council and the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Conference is again offering dioceses, parishes and other non-profit groups possible resources and options for planning and organizing local activities. The theme for this year is “Families united in the joy of the Lord” / “Parents à l’œuvre dans la joie de Jésus Christ”. The theme in French is linked to the Quebec provincial theme, Parents à l’oeuvre! The dates for this year’s National Week for Life and the Family coincide in part with those for the 2014 Semaine québécoise des familles, and also with the United Nations World Day of Families, May 15.

For this year’s National Week, and for future years, different Canadian dioceses will be involved in developing materials on a rotating basis, one diocese from the French Sector and one from the English Sector. For 2014, the English-language materials have been prepared by the Family Ministry Office of the Diocese of Hamilton, and the French-language materials by the diocesan committee for family ministry of the Archdiocese of Gatineau.

Again this year, the CCCB is grateful to BRADI BARTH for making available the artwork for the full-colour poster and prayer card. This illustration of the Holy Family was also used in 2013. The terms for the non-commercial use of the artwork by dioceses, parishes and other non-profit groups are found in the outline of Suggested Resources and Options by using the following link. In addition, the Family Ministry Office of the Diocese of Hamilton has provided suggestions for supplemental illustrations that individual parishes may wish to use. 

Link to the options for possible resources

Historian John Zucchi of McGill University, author of The Pontifical Canadian College: An Enduring Ttradition, 125 Years of History, was interviewed by Laura Ieraci of Vatican Radio on February 26, 2014. His book is being launched today, February 28, in Rome, as part of a series of events for the 125th anniversary of the Pontifical Canadian College. The former Archbishop of Québec, His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, will attend the book launch. The College’s 125th anniversary year was launched in March 2013 with the visit of the Governor-General of Canada, the Honorable David Johnston, who was in Rome for the inauguration of Pope Francis’ pontificate. The celebrations marking this anniversary year will close in June 2014 with a special Mass at the Church of the Canadian Martyrs in Rome. His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, and His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of the Church in Canada, will both officiate.

Link to the interview 
Link to an overview of the College’ history (PDF)