CCCB to discuss evangelization

Canadian Catholic News
Ottawa

In their upcoming plenary Oct. 15-19, Canada's bishops will focus their national activities to have more impact and will consider new communications strategies.

The bishops will debate reducing the number of national episcopal commissions from six to three, and the possible creation of standing committees that would include lay experts, Msgr. Mario Paquette, general secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), said in an interview.

They will also put evangelization front and centre during the public portion of their week-long gathering in Cornwall, Ont.

Sociologist Reginald Bibby will present social data on Canadian attitudes towards religious faith. Halifax Auxiliary Bishop Claude Champagne will lay out the theological and teaching dimensions.

The bishops, however, must find a way to accomplish their mission with fewer resources.

They will examine which activities must be handled on the national level and which can become regional responsibilities, Paquette said. Issues such as ecumenism and concern for refugees and migrants will remain national concerns.

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