Canadian Bishops’ Annual Plenary Meeting Opens in Cornwall

Wednesday, October 11 2000

(CCCB – Cornwall) More than 100 Roman Catholic bishops and observers from across Canada have gathered in Cornwall for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops annual Plenary meeting.

First order of business was the annual report by CCCB President Bishop Gerald Wiesner, OMI, of Prince George, BC, who thanked the many bishops, priests, deacons, religious, pastoral ministers and the laity “whoare courageously carrying out their many responsibilities in the world.”

Bishop Wiesner pointed out the many projects the CCCB and the Church in Canada has been involved in over the past year, in particular World Youth Day 2002 that will be held in Canada, the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative to reduce the debt of poorer nations, the promising environment in relations with Aboriginal Peoples and significant steps in ecumenical relations.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Paolo Romeo, told the meeting “there are always new challenges and new opportunities for evangelization which arise and which call on our episcopal ministry.”

In reference to World Youth Day 2002, Archbishop Romeo said holding the event in Canada will “necessitate constant community involvement in order to achieve together this milestone in salvation history.”

The meeting also heard a progress report on the North American Vocations Congress that will be held in Montreal in April 2002 at the request of the Vatican. It is anticipated that more than 1,000 delegates will attend this event.

On Friday, the Plenary meeting will focus on youth and World Youth Days 2002.