CCCB
gears up for annual collection
By Deborah Gyapong
Canadian
Catholic News
OTTAWA (CCN) — The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops hopes
the faithful will generously support its work as the annual collection
approaches the weekend of Sept. 26.
“The primary purpose
of the collection is to help the dioceses in Canada meet their annual
per capita contribution to the CCCB,” said CCCB president Saint-Jerome
Bishop Pierre Morissette in an Aug. 9 letter. “This is the conference’s
main source of financing.”
Each diocese is assessed
on a per capita basis for its contribution to the running of the CCCB
secretariat of 40 staff members and the work the bishops do in common,
whether it is government relations, those with other episcopal conferences
or the Holy See.
The CCCB is involved in national
and international pastoral activities in areas that include “social
justice, ecumenical and interfaith relations, collaboration with Aboriginal
peoples, life and family issues, liturgy, catechesis, doctrine and relations
with Catholic associations and movements,” Morissette wrote.
“The CCCB also provides
the bishops with a forum to share their experiences, insights and reflections
on the major events and issues that shape the church and modern society,”
he wrote.
He noted the 65-year-old
CCCB needs to “continue updating and renewing its structures and
resources.” Through their support, the faithful contribute to
the unity of the Body of Christ, he wrote.
In a mail-out the CCCB sent
a document highlighting its activities over the past year.
Among the highlights, were
efforts of an ad hoc committee to collaborate with the Canadian Catholic
Organization for Development and Peace to revise its mandate and operations
in light of the pope’s social justice encyclical Caritas et
Veritate.
Other social justice initiatives
include relief efforts for the church and society of Haiti, devastated
by a massive earthquake, and to bring about peace in the Middle East.
The CCCB also established
an ad hoc committee committed to developing a strategy for the promotion
of a culture of life and family in Canada. The bishops were also active
in the debate on end-of-life issues, opposing euthanasia and promoting
palliative care.
The bishops also worked closely
with the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), which it
co-sponsors with the Knights of Columbus, to promote church teachings
on respect for life, human dignity, the fundamental role of the family
and natural family planning.
Other highlights concern
Aboriginal relations and ensuring a Catholic presence in the ongoing
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s hearings into the Indian
Residential Schools experiences.
The CCCB is also busy preparing
for the reception of the new English translation of the Roman Missal,
which is expected to be in use by Advent 2011.
 |
|