(CCCB-Ottawa) A delegation of 170 Canadians is attending the Second American Missionary Congress being held in Guatemala City, Guatemala, November 24-30. The theme of the Congress is Church in America: Your Life is Mission.

The delegation is led by Bishop Gilles Lussier (Joliette). Four other bishops are also part of the delegation: Bishop Clément Fecteau (Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière), Bishop Martin Currie (Grand Falls), Bishop François Lapierre, P.M.É. (Saint-Hyacinthe) and Archbishop Émilius Goulet, P.S.S. (Saint-Boniface).

They are joined by Ms. Adèle Bolduc, director the Office for Evangelization of Peoples for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), as well as Sister Leona Spencer, C.S.J., and Rev. Roger Bédard from the Pontifical Mission Societies of Canada (English sector and French sector) which are responsible for making Canadians aware of the universal mission needs of the Church.

CCCB President Archbishop Brendan M. O’Brien, in a letter to Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño, Metropolitan Archbishop of Guatemala City and President of the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, describes CAM 2/ COMLA 7 as important for the Church in the Northern hemisphere.

“The pastors of the Church in Canada have great hopes in the follow-up that will come from the Missionary Congress of America, Archbishop O’Brien said. “The Church in Central America, and particularly in Guatemala, is a witness for us of the love of God that comes from your poverty, your ‘littleness’ and from your experience of martyrdom. You provide a model of courage and determination for the whole world. It is with deep emotion we recall how our brothers Oscar Romero, Juan Gerardi and many others have shed their blood so that others may live their faith in freedom and peace.”

Archbishop O’Brien noted that Canadian dioceses have been preparing many months for this celebration of mission. “We have had national and diocesan meetings, with many groups discussing the same questions that are at the heart of your Congress. Our delegates bring with them the results of these reflections, together with the prayers of their brothers and sisters. In response to your kind invitation, we will as well be sharing our own missionary experiences.”

The American Missionary Congress (CAM2/COMLA 7) brings together missionary delegates from all the countries of America to reflect on the role of “mission” in today’s world and to discuss the missionary challenges of the third millennium. This is the second hemispheric conference (CAM) as well as the seventh Latin American conference (CAMLA). The first five meetings brought together missionary representatives from Latin America only.

Related Links:

• American Missionary Congress — CAM 2/COMLA 7
• Pontifical Missions Societies
• CCCB Letter to Cardinal Toruño

(CCCB-Ottawa) His Holiness Pope John Paul II today named Rev. J. Michael Miller, C.S.B., as Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, at the same time making him Archbishop of the titular see of Vertara. Archbishop-elect Miller is currently President of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He will be succeeding Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, S.J., who reached the age limit of 75.

Archbishop-elect Miller was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 9, 1946, and ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975. He is a member of the Congregation of St. Basil that has as its principal charism the education of young people.

In 1974 he received a bachelors degree in theology from St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto. In 1976 he was granted a licentiate “summa cum laude” in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was awarded the doctoral degree “summa cum laude” from the Gregorian University in 1979.

From 1979 – 1987, he was professor of dogmatic theology at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Houston, Texas. He served as Vice-President of the same university from 1987-1992. From 1992-1997, he worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State. Since 1997 until the present he has been President of the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Among his publications are The Shepherd and the Rock: Origins, Development and Mission of the Papacy (1994); The Encyclicals of John Paul II (2002); The Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortations of John Paul II (1998); and Life’s Greatest Grace.

Archbishop-elect Miller holds dual citizenship from Canada and the United States. He is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish and has a reading knowledge of Latin and German.

The Congregation for Catholic Education oversees norms for seminaries, Catholic universities and colleges, and Catholic schools.

Related Links:

• University of St. Thomas
• Congregation for Catholic Education
• Congregation of Saint Basil – Basilian Fathers

(CCCB-Ottawa) Dr. Vicki Bennett has been named the new director of the Publications Service of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

Dr. Bennett brings to CCCB Publications her vast knowledge of the publishing world. For the last six years she has worked for the University of Ottawa Press, first as Editor-in-Chief and later as Director. She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for the Export of Canadian Books, and also with the Association of Canadian University Presses.

An archaeologist by training, Dr. Bennett began her studies at the Université Libre de Belgique and received her master’s in classical archaeology from the University of Ottawa. She also holds a doctorate in religious studies from the same university. She has taught in the Department of Religion at Concordia University in Montreal, the Religious Sciences Department at the Université de Québec à Montréal and at the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Ottawa.

A member of the executive of Historia Ecclesiae Catholicae Canadensis since 1995, and of the executive of the Canadian Catholic Historical Association since 1992, Dr. Bennett’s interests focus on sacred space and visual imagery. Her recent publications include a history of the study of church architecture in Quebec in L’étude de la religion au Québec (Presses de l’Université Laval), and a study of church architecture in Ontario, Sacred Space and Structural Style (University of Ottawa Press).

CCCB Publications

For more than 30 years, the CCCB has played a major role in the publication of religious resources. Tens of thousands of copies of works produced by CCCB Publications Service are sold annually around the world. The current catalogue lists close to 400 titles.

CCCB Publications Service plays an essential role in the publication and distribution of books and pamphlets addressing today’s pastoral needs in parishes, schools and Christian communities. Primary and secondary Catholic schools in English-speaking Canada make use of religious textbooks produced by the CCCB, which parishes use its lectionaries, rituals, hymn books and other publications used in liturgical celebrations.

(CCCB-Ottawa) A delegation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) began its annual visit to Rome today for meetings with officials from the Holy See.

The group is led by the newly elected CCCB President Archbishop Brendan O’Brien, of Saint John’s. Accompanying him are CCCB Vice President Archbishop André Gaumond of Sherbrooke, General Secretary Msgr. Peter Schonenbach, P.H., and General Secretary-elect Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H.

While in Rome, they will meet with various officials from the Curia, including the Secretariat of State, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Congregation for Bishops, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Congregation for Catholic Education, Congregation for the Clergy, Pontifical Council for the Laity, Pontifical Council for the Family, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

The visit, which will run until November 26, is expected to include an audience with the Holy Father. These meetings permit open exchanges on a regular basis between the Canadian episcopal conference and the Roman Curia regarding common projects, preoccupations and challenges for the Catholic Church both in Canada and around the world.

Related Links:

• Congregation for Catholic Education

(CCCB-Ottawa) The CCCB 2001-2003 Activities Report reviews the main activities and principal projects of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), its Executive Committee, Permanent Council, episcopal commissions, other offices, and the National Appeal Tribunal.

The report covers the two-year period of the presidency of Bishop Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V., of Saint Jean-Longueuil, whose mandate ended in October 2003. You may consult or download the 2001-2003 Activities Report by clicking here. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to read this document.

(CCCB – Ottawa) –Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Gregis, On the Bishop, Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World, made public on October 16 during the 25th anniversary celebrations of his pontificate, is now availble in Canada through CCCB Publications.

The document is the Holy Father’s response to the recommendations and conclusions of 300 bishops from around the world, including five from Canada, who participated in the Synod of Bishops held in Rome October 2001 on the theme The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World.

Pastores Gregis (Shepherds of the Flock) outlines pastoral orientations for the 4,700 Bishops of the Church worldwide. The 204-page document is divided into seven chapters and discusses the mystery and ministry of bishops, their spiritual life, their roles locally and internationally, and the challenges they face.

The Apostolic Exhortation is available through CCCB Publications for $13.95 (plus taxes, postage and handling):

CCCB Publications
2500 Don Reid Drive
Ottawa (Ontario) K1H 2J2
Tel: (800) 769-1147
Fax: (613) 241-5090
Email: publi@cccb.ca

Order online

(CCCB – Ottawa) – A delegation of nine cardinals, archbishops and bishops from Canada are in Rome to take part in celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic of Toronto and Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte will also take part in the consistory where Quebec City Archbishop Marc Ouellet will be elevated to the College of Cardinals on October 21.

The other Canadians present include Bishop Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V., Saint-Jean-Longueuil, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB); Archbishop Brendan O’Brien, St. John’s, CCCB Vice President; Eparchial Bishop Joseph Khoury for Maronites in Canada; Bishop Luc Cyr, Valleyfield, Quebec; Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Mancini, Montreal; Auxiliary Bishop Robert Harris, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Among the activities taking place over the next few days are the Mass celebrating the 25 years of Pope John Paul II’s pontificate (October 16), the presentation of the Apostolic Exhortation on the Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World(October 16), the Mass for the beatification of Mother Teresa (October 19), and the consistory where 30 bishops and priests will received the cardinal’s red hat (October 21).

(CCCB – Ottawa) – Most Reverend Donat Chiasson, Archbishop emeritus of Moncton, died in a car accident, October 8, 2003, at 73 years of age.

Born in Paquetville, New Brunswick, Archbishop Chiasson was ordained a priest in his home parish on May 6, 1956. He was named Archbishop of Moncton on March 23, 1972, and retired in 1995.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2003, at the Frenette Funeral Home (88 Church Street, Moncton), 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.; on Sunday, October 11, at Notre Dame Cathedral in Moncton 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.; and on Monday, October 12, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 11 a.m.

As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Archbishop Chiasson served on the Episcopal Commissions for Christian Education and Ecumenism.

(CCCB – Ottawa) In a pastoral letter published today on the feast of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology, the Social Affairs Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has called on Canadian Catholics to care for the environment and to have deep respect for the wonders of the earth.

The pastoral letter, entitled the Christian Ecological Imperative, is inspired by the Bible, as well as the social, theological and sacramental traditions of the Church.

The letter reminds Catholics of the many ways humanity has mistreated nature, such as rampant deforestation, extreme pollution, over-exploitation and wasted resources. In particular, the bishops are concerned with water usage. “The bible speaks of living waters, of becoming a fountain of living water, of longing for running water, and of justice flowing as a mighty river. Yet how can anyone speak about the ‘waters of life’ if these waters can no longer sustain life? Without water everything dies. Water is the basic element though which all life forms emerged, exist and flourish.”

Underlining the links that exist between solidarity and ecology, the pastoral letter invites Catholics to embrace forms of eco-justice. “To ‘fast’ from actions that pollute, to embrace whatever inconveniences may arise from running a ‘greener’ household, to decrease our use of fossil fuels and to tithe time, treasure and talent to environmental causes may all be aspects of this response. Buying locally produced goods, organic produce and fairly traded merchandise are increasingly realistic options for many Canadians. We can challenge the hold of the marketplace over our lives by conscious efforts to avoid over-consumption and by using our purchasing power to promote earth-friendly enterprises.”

Through this message, the bishops on the Social affairs Commission are hoping not only to promote reflection by the faithful, but also to encourage them to take concrete steps to safeguard and protect the environment. “All of creation is of God, and is as yet unfinished. We are called as co-creators to join God’s work to repair some of creation’s wounds which have been inflicted due to our ecological sins. We are also called to creative actions of solidarity with those who have less access to the benefits of God’s bountiful creation. The ‘Lover of Life,’ who came so that we all might have life, and have it abundantly, continues to provide us with opportunities to renew the face of the earth. How can we not take up that challenge?”

The pastoral letter is accompanied by an appendix that suggests ways Christians can protect the environment.

Copies of the pastoral letter are available in English and in French from the Social Affairs Office, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2500 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa ON K1H 2J2. Telephone: (613) 241-9461, Fax: (613) 241-9048, Email: mchabot@cccb.ca.

Related links:

• The Pastoral Letter on the Christian Ecological Imperative (html format or pdf format)
• Appendix: What Can Christians Do to Protect the Environment?