Photo: © Concacan Inc.
By Deacon Eric Gurash
For the first time in two years, the Bishop’s of Canada will hold their annual Plenary in person. The yearly gathering of Canada’s bishops, held this week in Ottawa, will meet to discuss various developments and events over the past year and discern pastoral paths forward.
Much of the discussions will be on the pastoral action inspired by the summer’s Apostolic Visit and the dialogue that has been building with Indigenous communities over the last five years. This Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis, whose focus was on meeting with and speaking to the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people of Canada, was a long-anticipated and significant step forward in the relationship between Indigenous Peoples, particularly Residential School Survivors, and the Church.
In his letter to Pope Francis about the Plenary, President of the CCCB, Bishop Raymond Poisson, thanked the Holy Father for the visit, pointing out that “As the Successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ, your presence among us, as well as your words of healing, reconciliation, and humanity, have helped all of us to take significant steps forward as we walk together toward a more hopeful future.”
In his Plenary Annual Report, released on Tuesday, Bishop Poisson outlined several key topics that will be discussed by Canada’s Bishops this week.
In the report, Poisson took time to acknowledge and welcome the new Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, the Most Reverend Ivan Jurkovič, to this first opportunity to meet in person with Canada’s bishops. Poisson went on to indicate that a key focus for the Plenary will be walking together with Indigenous people and discerning “how best to continue our role, as bishops and as a Church, in the journey toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, both nationally, at the level of the episcopal conference, and locally, at the diocesan level.”
Poisson also acknowledged that a significant event like the summer’s Apostolic Visit and apology from Pope Francis was undoubtedly important and needed. At the same time, events like this, as well as apologies offered by Canada’s bishops and fundraising efforts like the recent $30-million over five years pledge towards a new Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, are first steps only. These efforts and others like them “do not mark the end of the Church’s journey of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. (and that) Much more work remains to be done at the personal and pastoral level of encounter, where true and lasting relationships are forged, and the foundations of a brighter future are firmly set in place.”
This year’s Plenary will also discuss the work of the new Standing Committee for Family and Life as well as provide updates on the synod process culminating in the XVI Ordinary General assembly planned for October 2023 in Rome.
The Plenary begins Tuesday, September 27, and will wrap up by Thursday, September 29. This will allow the bishops time to return to their home dioceses and participate in local National Truth and Reconciliation Day events and activities on September 30.
Letter to Pope Francis – English
Letter to Pope Francis – French
