Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. activities. report

Transcription

1 Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops activities report

2 message from the president the life of our Church is marked by its activities and commitment, but also and above all by the Word that it welcomes and by which it is nourished. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in no. 84 of his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis described the significance of our ecclesial mission: What the world needs is God s love; it needs to encounter Christ and believe in him. These words invite us to focus on the essential and to hope that our undertakings contribute to bringing about a world more centred on the love of God and neighbour. Having experienced two wonderful years as CCCB President, I invite you to read about some of the Conference s achievements as outlined in this Activities Report. In particular, I wish to note the following: The publication of Pope Benedict XVI s Encyclical Deus Caritas Est and his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis. These two documents deal with two fundamental themes of our faith: charity and the Eucharist. The visit ad limina Apostolorum during which each of the Bishops of Canada had the opportunity to meet with Pope Benedict XVI. Each of us had the chance to speak about the life of our diocesan Church as well as our personal commitment and aspirations. The publication of the pastoral letter of the Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs on immigration and the protection of refugees, We are aliens and transients before the Lord our God. The Meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America, which was held in Toronto, allowing Bishops from Canada, the United States and Latin America to share their reflections on the participation of the laity in the life of the Church. The 40th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, which is so active in the Global South. In 2007, Development and Peace concluded its assistance program in response to the December 2004 tsunami. It turned over the management of its reconstruction fund to local partners in Aceh, Indonesia, with millions of dollars having been invested in the reconstruction of some 3500 homes. The CCCB position on the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. At the same time as noting certain benefits to the legislation on the use of reproductive techniques, the CCCB pointed out that the greatest defect of the legislation is its failure to prohibit the immoral destruction of the human embryo. The ongoing work on mechanisms to prevent sexual abuse by means of diocesan policies and programs to respond to and prevent cases of sexual abuse and to improve the safety of environments for pastoral activities. The process of restructuring our Episcopal Conference in order to be more in tune with current pastoral and economic realities. The year 2008 will be marked by the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, by the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec City in June, and by World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. All these events witness to the universality of our Catholic faith. + André Gaumond Archbishop of Sherbrooke President Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 2 CCCB Activities Report

3 our mission the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has been at the service of the Church in Canada since Bringing together all the Bishops of our country, it is part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) enables the Bishops to collaborate on various pastoral projects, while respecting the autonomy of each diocese. The Conference is a unique forum in which the Bishops can discuss their mission, the life of the Church and the major questions of the moment, whether these concern peace, social justice, youth, ecumenism, Catholic education or the environment. The Conference maintains frequent contacts with the Holy Father and his close collaborators. Each year a CCCB delegation travels to Rome to meet with the officials of the various Congregations, Councils and Commissions of the Holy See. The CCCB has a coordinating role in projects such as World Youth Day. It also publishes resources to meet the catechetical needs of Catholic schools and the liturgical needs of Catholic parishes. The CCCB is made up of approximately 90 Bishops from 70 dioceses (eight of which are Eastern Catholic) plus the Military Ordinariate. A General Secretariat assists in the operations of the Conference by carrying out administrative responsibilities and executing the decisions of the Bishops. The offices are situated in Ottawa, Ontario, with the exception of the French Sector National Liturgy Office which is in Montreal. The Conference offers the Bishops a forum to discuss their ministry, the life of the Church, and the major questions of the day. Each fall, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops holds its annual Plenary Assembly. Approximately 90 Bishops from across Canada attend the meeting to review pastoral activities over the past year, and to discuss the projects and activities of their Conference. A number of guests clergy, members of Catholic organizations and from other Christian Churches are also invited to participate as observers. CCCB Activities Report

4 working together the work of the Episcopal Conference is carried out through its Plenary Assembly, Permanent Council and Executive Committee, as well as its commissions and committees. The Plenary Assembly constitutes the basic structure and the highest authority within the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Approximately 90 Bishops gather every fall to discuss major pastoral issues. The Permanent Council comprises at least 14 Bishops who are elected every two years to oversee the orientation of the Conference and to prepare for and execute the undertakings of the annual Plenary Assembly. The Executive Committee is made up of the President, Vice President and two Co-Treasurers, each elected by the Plenary for two years. It coordinates CCCB activities, implements the decisions of the Plenary Assembly and Permanent Council, and oversees administrative and financial aspects as well as current and urgent business. The members of the Executive Committee, particularly the President and Vice President, are often the representatives and spokespersons of the Conference. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is served by eleven Episcopal Commissions and one Council. Each specializes in one particular area of pastoral activity: social affairs, theology, canon law, Christian unity and interfaith relations, relations with Catholic associations, evangelization, communications, liturgy, Christian education, and Aboriginal questions. Each studies current pertinent issues, analyzes the needs of the Church in Canada, and undertakes projects to support the Bishops and Catholic communities in their mission. Episcopal Commissions study current pertinent issues, analyzes the needs of the Church in Canada, and undertakes projects to support the Bishops and Catholic communities in their mission. In June 2007, the Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, Interfaith Dialogue gathered with the CCCB appointed members of the various ecumenical and interfaith dialogues. In the photo: Most Rev. Martin Veillette, Bishop of Trois-Rivières and a member of this Commission in the company of Dr. Susan Brown, a member of the Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue. 4 CCCB Activities Report

5 building solidarity nearly three years ago, a deadly tsunami killed hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed entire regions of Southeast Asia. Initially, Canadians felt powerless; then calls for aid reverberated. Only a few hours following the tragedy, while the total impact of the tsunami was still not yet known, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops added his voice to those of other leaders of the country, inviting Catholics to give generously to Development and Peace, the international development organization founded by the Bishops of Canada and which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in The invitation to the millions of Canadian Catholics to assist the victims was heard. Over $32 million was donated to Development and Peace by the people of Canada and by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Development and Peace lost no time in distributing the funds, so the communities that had lost everything could soon see their way to renewed hope and life. the villages were led by the local population. Men and women from the devastated villages redefined their communities: choosing the models for their houses, drawing up village plans, retracing roads. Each family was able to watch the construction of their home. The UPLINK project also includes rebuilding the local economy through revenue-generating activities and advocating the introduction of alternative technologies which are more resistant. Small construction businesses (such as bricklayers and metal workers) were established to stimulate local employment. Revenues were generated for the local communities and production was all the more rapid. At the end of his trip to Indonesia, CCCB President Archbishop André Gaumond said he was impressed by the human approach and respect shown by Development and Peace. It made a unique and major contribution, he said, worthy of the support of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. In February 2007, a joint delegation of the CCCB as well as Development and Peace saw firsthand the extraordinary reconstruction of Indonesian villages. UPLINK, a project with a total budget of $42 million ($5 million of which came from Development and Peace and $4.2 million from CIDA) was jointly financed in collaboration with the German Catholic development agency. This is the largest single initiative in the history of Development and Peace. While a number of organizations concentrated their efforts on building temporary residences, UPLINK invested in building 3,331 permanent homes, all tsunami resistant. The success of these efforts is explained by the spirit of participation and ownership. The rebuilding of the economy and the reconstruction of CCCB Activities Report

6 calling for change immigrants enrich Canadian society and help us to be more open to the world at a time when, if global challenges are to be met, all people need to be in solidarity. For Christians, welcoming the stranger is an expression of faith. In January 2006, during the federal election campaign, the members of the CCCB Episcopal Commission for Social Affairs voiced their concerns on Parliament Hill at the launch of their pastoral letter on migrants and refugees, We are aliens and transients before the Lord our God. The document, widely acclaimed, included recommendations on how to welcome immigrants so they can flourish and be integrated in their new homeland. While the Bishops of Canada can rejoice that a country as fortunate as ours welcomes a large number of immigrants 235,000 permanent residents arrived in Canada in 2004 the federal and provincial governments must do more to reduce the obstacles that face these newcomers. It is a fundamental inversion of values when laws and politics place national interests before human dignity, said Archbishop Roger Ébacher, Chairman of the Commission, while noting that refugees often become scapegoats when there are national security questions, especially since 11 September The pastoral letter made a number of political recommendations that included introducing an appeal system for refugee claimants (already required by Canadian immigration law!); eliminating obstacles which impede the speedy reunification of families; recognizing the education and competence of immigrants; providing more opportunities in the workplace, and improving protection for migrant workers. The pastoral letter also encourages and recognizes Catholics and others who generously assist refugees and immigrants. These include the thousands of persons who are members of organizations which welcome immigrants, helping them become integrated into society and defending their rights; Catholics who have sponsored more than 180,000 immigrants, and the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) which is helping to protect women and children caught in human trafficking. Participating in the launching of the pastoral letter: Mr. Alfred Lukhanda, a Congolese immigrant; Most Reverend Brendan M. O Brien, then Archbishop of St. John s and a member of the CCCB Commission for Social Affairs; Ms. Elizabeth McWeeny, President of the Canadian Council for Refugees and Coordinator of Refugee Sponsorship for the Diocese of Thunder Bay. Speaking of these generous efforts, Archbishop Ébacher added, As pastors, we invite the faithful of our Church to inform our society about their remarkable contributions to refugees and immigrants, but we also urge Catholics to be even more involved in the name of our faith. 6 CCCB Activities Report

7 committed to dialogue for many years now, CCCB representatives at the national level Bishops, priests, religious and laity have been involved in dialogue with other Christians and with other faiths. The CCCB is involved in various discussions, exchanges and reflections by means of a liaison committee with the Muslim community, a consultation with the Jewish community, and ecumenical dialogues with the Anglican, United and Orthodox Churches. The exchanges foster mutual understanding, sharing on religious and social questions as well as participation in common projects of mutual interest. As one example of a common project, in November 2006 over 40 religious leaders signed a Joint Declaration on Marriage. This text was intended to assist members of Parliament and other Canadians in the continued debate in the redefinition of marriage. The ecumenical and interfaith work of the CCCB is also evident in ministries such as the Apostleship of the Sea as well as chaplaincy and pastoral work with the Canadian Correctional Services and the Canadian Armed Forces. Ecumenical and interfaith exchanges foster mutual understanding, sharing on religious and social questions as well as participation in common projects of mutual interest. During a news conference on Parliament Hill in November 2006, Most Reverend Marcel Gervais, then Archbishop of Ottawa, spoke about the common vision shared by faith leaders questioning the redefinition of marriage. To his right is Father John Jillions from the Orthodox Church of America and Mr. Bruce J. Clemenger, President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. CCCB Activities Report

8 being visible the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences, which assist in the ongoing interactions of the universal Church. Each year, a number of Bishops from Canada represent the Catholic Church in our country at various international meetings, serve on international committees and also take part in other events that mark the life of the Church around the world. The CCCB is preparing for the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that will focus, in 2008, on the Word of God. The Synod is a meeting of Bishops from around the world convened by the Holy Father in Rome. Its goal is to find common pastoral orientations on a particular theme. This will be the second such Synod in the past four years. The last was in 2005 on the Eucharist, at which there were 300 participants from around the world, including Pope Benedict XVI and five Bishops from Canada. In May 2007, two Bishops represented Canada at the Vth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops held in Brazil. Pope Benedict XVI also participated. Evangelization was at the heart of the discussions. In January 2006 the CCCB President, and in 2007 his delegate, Bishop Gilles Cazabon, O.M.I., went to the Holy Land to join American and European Bishops in learning more about the situation in the Middle East. The objectives of this annual visit can be summarized with a triple P: Prayer for peace and justice; Pilgrimages to the birthplace of our faith, and which also financially assist the Christians of that region; and Pressure on religious and political authorities. The CCCB is preparing for the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops called by Pope Benedict XVI. The meeting will focus on the Word of God. Pope Benedict XVI welcomes CCCB Vice President Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, CCCB President Archbishop André Gaumond, and CCCB General Secretary Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H., during the annual visit to the dicasteries of the Holy See. 8 CCCB Activities Report

9 In collaboration with the CCCB, a delegation from Development and Peace traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to observe the elections held in the summer of Five delegates served as observers, together with representatives of other international organizations. The objective of the mission was to ensure the elections were fair and credible, and could serve as a starting point for democratic government. Bishops from Canada, the United States and Latin America met in Toronto during February 2006 for the 34th Meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America. The role, responsibility and formation of laity was the topic of discussion among the Bishops from all parts of the Americas. Over 20 delegates participated, including Bishops and staff from the General Secretariats of the Episcopal Conferences of Canada, the United States (USCCB) and Latin American and Caribbean countries (CELAM). Formerly known as the Interamerican Meeting of Bishops, these informal gatherings began in Each fall, CCCB delegates participate in a series of meetings with representatives from the Holy See. Most Reverend André Gaumond, Archbishop of Sherbrooke and President of the Conference, led the 2005 and 2006 delegations which met with officials of the Roman Curia who help the Holy Father in the governance of the universal Church. The annual meetings provide an opportunity for the representatives of Participants at the 34th Meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America, in Toronto, in February 2006 The meeting of the Bishops of the Church in America is a direct follow-up to Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, issued in 1999 and calling for the development of closer links among the people of this hemisphere in the new millennium. the CCCB and the Holy See to discuss projects, preoccupations and challenges that face Catholics globally as well as what is happening in Canada. CCCB Activities Report

10 creating bonds the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has a major role in establishing links with various organizations and Church structures, on both the national and international levels. Individual Bishops or other CCCB delegates represent the Bishops of Canada on various committees and boards. Development and Peace is the official international development organization for the Catholic Church in Canada. Founded in 1967 by the Bishops of Canada, its aim is to combat poverty in the Global South and promote international justice. The objectives of Development and Peace, inspired by Gospel values and in particular the preferential option for the poor, are to support the people of the South so they can take their future into their own hands, and to make Canadians more aware of the gap between the North and the Global South. Two Bishops are members of its National Council. KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is a coalition of Canadian Churches, as well as Church organizations and NGOs. It is devoted to the promotion of human rights, justice and peace, human development and universal solidarity. KAIROS is a response to God s invitation to respect the earth and to become engaged in justice for all its people. The CCCB helps finance the organization and is a full member. Canadian Council of Churches is the most important ecumenical organization in Canada and one of the few in the world that brings together so many Churches. It has over 20 member Churches from the Anglican, Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic traditions. Its executive and staff reflect all the traditions of its membership, including the CCCB. One of the CCCB Episcopal Commissions is responsible for relations with associations of clergy, consecrated life and laity. On a regular basis, delegates from national associations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women s League (CWL), the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC), Vie Montante and Scouts Canada meet with the Bishops to exchange on common concerns. The CCCB is associated with organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women s League (CWL), the Catholic Health Association of Canada and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada. In May 2007, Most Reverend Roger Ébacher, Archbishop of Gatineau and Chairman of the Commission for Social Affairs, represented the CCCB at a news conference organized by KAIROS. The ecumenical coalition called on Canadian mining companies operating overseas to adopt stricter rules to help end widespread environmental damage and human rights abuses. 10 CCCB Activities Report

11 promoting life and family the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) embarked on two entirely new initiatives for Continuing attempts to redefine the roles of fundamental institutions in Canadian society such as marriage and the family prompted COLF to hold a seminar on the family in March Thirty-five experts gathered to discuss The Family: Identity and Challenges. Their specific discussions were on: The Family, Civil Society and the State; The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Theory and Practice; Why Does the Erosion of Marriage Hurt Children?; The Intersection of Family, School and Popular Culture; Parenting Styles and Child Outcomes; Parenting: the Great Adventure! On June 2007, COLF also organized a National Symposium on the Theology of the Body which took place in Edmonton. The prophetic teachings of Pope John Paul II on the profound meaning of love and sexuality, marriage and family received an enthusiastic response from 200 participants, including parents and professionals working in various fields. This event received much attention including from the media and should bear interesting results. COLF published a number of leaflets and brochures over the past year: The Media: a Fascinating Challenge for the Family (which includes a communications workshop to help people intervene with the media); Living, Suffering and Dying What For? (a reflection on the Christian meaning of life and suffering); Stem Cells: Astonishing Promises But at what Cost? (question and answer format); Life in the Balance Workshop on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (an electronic educational resource for use in parishes and other situations); and Families, Where are the Saints of the Third Millennium? (the 2007 Message to Families which reflects on how the family transmits the faith). All these documents can be found on the newly redesigned COLF website at Since its foundation, COLF continues to collaborate closely with the CCCB, which co-sponsors COLF together with the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus. It regularly comments on a variety of issues, including marriage, palliative care, genetic screening, the redefinition of the family and the right to be born. COLF published a number of leaflets and brochures over the past year. All these documents can be found on the newly redesigned COLF website at CCCB Activities Report

12 growing in solidarity for the past number of years, the CCCB has been strengthening communion and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal Catholics. The Catholic Aboriginal Council for Reconciliation was established almost 10 years ago by the Bishops of Canada. Its goal is to encourage Aboriginal leadership in the Christian community, to support healing and reconciliation among Aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples, and to advise the Bishops of Canada on matters relating to the First Nations. This Council of eight Catholics from the First Nations and two Bishops manages the Fund for Solidarity, Communion and Reconciliation, which has distributed over $1.2 million since it was established in One of the projects financed, Returning to Spirit, has been especially successful. Created to help heal the wounds left by the former Indian residential schools, it reunites First Nations persons and members of religious communities or others who in some way experienced conflict because of the residential schools. The program is made up of three parts. The first involves a five-day intensive process, in which First Nations participants are led through an examination of the ways they bear their own suffering and recreate it in the present. In the second part, Church participants follow the same process. Those who wish can then move on to the third part, in which both groups are guided toward reconciliation by engaging together in dialogue. Returning to Spirit was initiated by Most Reverend Denis Croteau, O.M.I., Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, a Northern Canadian diocese with a large number of Native People. Members of the Catholic Aboriginal Council for Reconciliation: from left to right, Benoît Bariteau, Council secretary; Most Rev. Albert LeGatt, Bishop of Saskatoon, Tracy Blain, Council assistant; Most Rev. Bertrand Blanchet, Archbishop of Rimouski; Shirley Leon, Sto lo, Sardis (BC); Nicole O'Bomsawin, Abenaki, Odanak (QC), Sister Dorothy Moore, C.S.M., Mi kmac, Sydney Mines (NS); Rosella Kinoshameg, Anishnabeg, Wikwemikong (ON); Graydon Nicholas, Malacite, Fredericton (NB); Ron Boyer, Permanent Deacon, Ojibway, Kahnawake (QC); and Harry Lafond, Cree, Marcelin (SK). Missing: Melody McLeod, Metis, Yellowknife (NT). If the Church in America, in fidelity to the Gospel of Christ, intends to walk the path of solidarity, she must devote special attention to those ethnic groups which even today experience discrimination. Every attempt to marginalize the indigenous peoples must be eliminated. - Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America (#64) 12 CCCB Activities Report

13 ministering to communities the publication of Deus Caritas Est, the first encyclical letter of Pope Benedict XVI, coincided with the beginning of an important new role for the CCCB Publications Service. Following recent changes to Vatican copyright policy, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana assumed the copyright management for all documents from the Holy See. In turn, the Libreria entrusted Bishops Conferences with the management of Vatican rights within their respective territories. This new policy has allowed the CCCB through its Publication Service to produce Canadian editions of other important titles. Among these are the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, Sacramentum Caritatis and Ad Limina 2006: The Catholic Church in Canada At the Doorstep which includes the addresses by the Holy Father to the Bishops of Canada during their 2006 ad limina visits. The Publications Service also manages subscriptions for the French-language weekly edition of l Osservatore Romano. Guidelines for Liturgical Music and Sacrament of Reconciliation: A Theological and Pastoral Reflection for the Ministers of the Sacrament. The spring of 2007 also saw the first two editions of Vivre et célébrer, a vibrant new review for pastoral teams working in liturgy and with the sacraments. With its well established national network for distribution to parishes and its recognized expertise in the preparation and production of Catholic resources, the Publications Service has been able to partner with the organizing committee of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Quebec City in June A complete list and descriptions of over 300 titles can be found and ordered on line at Toll-free orders may be placed at In keeping with its mission to communicate the teachings of the Church and to serve the Catholic community, the Publications Service has also published a wide range of significant liturgical and theological resources including Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word with Children, A Companion to the Catholic Book of Worship III: Following recent changes to Vatican copyright policy, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana assumed the copyright management for all documents from the Holy See allowing the CCCB through its Publication Service to produce Canadian editions of important titles. CCCB Activities Report

14 managing effectively the main source of CCCB financing comes from a per capita contribution made by all dioceses in Canada. An annual collection held in all parishes in Canada in September helps the dioceses to fulfill this obligation. The Conference also benefits from other sources of revenue, including revenues which accrue from CCCB publications ( income from the administration of various funds, and investments which are made according to social and ethical standards. Important efforts have been made over the last few years to reduce expenses at the CCCB by restructuring its services so that they can better respond to the needs of today s Church. The results of this effort have allowed the Bishops to focus on the activities of their Episcopal Conference. Expenses for the year ending December % General Operations $2,409,325 $2,866,736 59% Sectors and Services $1,580,898 $1,414,193 29% CCCB Funds $457,381 $561,142 12% Total Expenses $4,447,604 $4,842, % Pastoral and General Operations: This includes expenses related to the operation of the General Secretariat, Administration and different CCCB offices such as the Bureau for Ecclesial Relations and Doctrine and the Bureau for Justice, Peace and Missions. Sectors and Services: Includes expenses related to liturgy, Christian education and other services of the Sectors. CCCB Funds: Includes financial aid given in response to requests from developing countries, Church organizations in Canada and elsewhere in the world. Extending a Hand The Canadian Pastoral Fund for Evangelization, coordinated by the Bureau for Justice, Peace and Missions, responds to many requests addressed to the CCCB by other Episcopal Conferences, especially in developing countries, to assist in evangelization. In future, it will assist the operations of the dioceses in the Canadian North. In , the Pastoral Fund participated in more than 75 projects for a total of more than $250,000, divided as follows: CONTINENTS PROJECTS TOTAL Africa 30 $79,500 Latin America 25 $69,500 North America 3 $51,220 Asia 17 $43,600 Oceania 3 $8, CCCB Activities Report

15 ascertaining the truth with the approval of the Apostolic See, the Canadian Appeal Tribunal was established by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in Located at the offices of the Conference in Ottawa, it is the only tribunal of second instance for diocesan and inter-diocesan matrimonial tribunals in Canada, apart from the Ukrainian Metropolitan Appeal Tribunal in Winnipeg. During 2005 and 2006, the Canadian Appeal Tribunal completed the examination of 1,826 and 1,716 cases, respectively. The activity of every matrimonial tribunal is pastoral by its nature and represents a commitment to see that the law and the rights of all are faithfully observed. The canonical trial is used by the Church as a means to ascertain the truth, which is the indispensable condition for justice, and as the most suitable way to resolve issues of major importance such as whether a marriage exists. reaching out in the communications media the Church finds a precious aid for spreading the Gospel and religious values, for promoting dialogue, ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation, and also for defending those solid principles which are indispensable for building a society which respects the dignity of the human person and is attentive to the common good. John Paul II, The Rapid Development, Apostolic Letter to those responsible for communications, January 2005 In addition to assisting the Bishops of Canada in the area of communications, representing them on occasion internationally and nationally, and at times speaking to the media on behalf of all the Bishops on questions of national interest, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops remains attentively and actively involved in today s world. Its website, completely redesigned in November 2006, offers thousands of pages of information, including the latest news and also archived documents, in addition to useful data on Canadian Bishops and dioceses. Since 2005, the Conference has made available a second website as well, dedicated to its Publications Service. This provides information on hundreds of publications, including pastoral and liturgical resources for parishes, schools and families. The two CCCB Social Communications Commissions, with their episcopal members and other experts, represent another aspect of CCCB outreach. The documentation they prepare assists all the Bishops in their pastoral ministry. In 2007, the English Sector Commissions published five texts on the Family and Media in the form of parish bulletin inserts. CCCB Activities Report

16 The contents of this Activities Report of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops can be found on the CCCB website The first Episcopal Conference to establish a website more than 11 years ago, the CCCB welcomes hundreds of web surfers daily. With news, statements, the texts of official documents and other information on the Bishops and dioceses of Canada, the website contains a wealth of information on the Catholic Church in Canada and elsewhere in the world. It even offers an opportunity to purchase CCCB publications on line. Celebrating 65 years as a Conference in 2008, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops enables the Bishops of Canada to collaborate in their pastoral ministry at the national and international levels. Their collaboration is expressed in various joint activities, including the promotion of the Catholic faith, the translation of liturgical books, the preparation of catechetical resources, ecumenical engagement, relations with civil authorities, the defence of human life, the promotion of peace, human rights and social justice, and the use of social communications. This Activities Report was produced by the CCCB Communications Service in collaboration with the Publications Service. Photo credits: All pictures were taken by the CCCB Communications Service except for the cover page provided by Canadian dioceses; page 5 Development and Peace; page 8 and Ark picture on the cover page Fotografia Felici. The CCCB offices are located at 2500 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa, ON K1H 2J2 Tel.: (613) Fax: (613) cecc@cccb.ca Website: Copyright Concacan Inc., All rights reserved.