Bishops of Canada to Hold Annual Plenary Assembly in Cap-de-la-Madeleine

Wednesday, October 22 2003

(CCCB – Ottawa) – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will be holding its annual Plenary assembly at the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine in Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, October 28-31, 2003.

More than 80 Bishops from across Canada are expected to attend the meeting to review pastoral activities from 2002-2003, and to discuss new projects and activities for the next few years, as well as to elect a new president and executive committee. The agenda also includes a discussion on the current marriage debate in Canada and an update from the youth and vocations committee which is following up World Youth Day 2003 and the North American Vocations Congress.

The Bishops will also be examining the mandate of the Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs. Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, Coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin. Ireland, and former Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, will address the Bishops on the importance of social justice in the work of episcopal conferences. Archbishop Martin is considered to be an expert in the field of social justice.

The annual meeting, usually held following Thanksgiving weekend, had to be moved to allow Bishops to participate in the 25th anniversary celebration of the Holy Father being held in Rome.

The CCCB is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. It supports the Bishops in their work by developing resources and providing specialists in different areas such as ecumenism, theology, liturgy, social affairs, Christian education and communications. The CCCB is involved in matters of national and international scope, and provides the Bishops a forum where they can share their experience and insight on the life of the Church and the major events that shape society.