Cornwall, Ontario – Today marked the final full day of meetings for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (CCCB) Plenary Assembly.

The day began with the annual meeting of the English Sector Bishops. As with their colleagues from the French Sector, this meeting brings together Bishops from predominantly English-speaking dioceses and eparchies to receive information on liturgical, catechetical and other pastoral matters which are closely tied to language and culture. Of note, Bishops received an update on preparations for the forthcoming CCCB hymnal, Music for Catholic Worship.

As approved by the Bishops, the Statement on Nuclear Weapons was released today. Among other notable things, the statement calls on the Government of Canada to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

As a follow-up to a meeting held prior to the Plenary Assembly with Bishops and victims-survivors of sexual abuse, a delegation of Bishops accepted an invitation to attend a screening of a documentary film on sexual abuse playing in Cornwall. In doing so, the Bishops expressed their intention to acknowledge the victims who would be gathered for this event, their suffering, and their desire for healing and transformation. The CCCB remains committed to seeking new ways to build bridges with victims-survivors, learning from their experiences and wisdom, so that such tragedies never happen again.