The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will hold its annual Plenary Assembly at the NAV Centre in Cornwall, Ontario, September 23-27, 2019. The Plenary Assembly is a gathering of approximately 90 bishops from across Canada. CCCB President, Bishop Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., of Saint-Jean-Longueuil will preside.

The 2019 Plenary keynote address will be delivered by Archbishop Giampietro Dal Toso, President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Established in 1922, the Pontifical Mission Societies are the official missionary arm of the Catholic Church responsible for evangelization and charitable works throughout the world. As part of his address, Archbishop Dal Toso will speak to the Bishops of Canada on the upcoming Extraordinary Missionary Month (October 2019) and its chosen theme "Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on a Mission in the World".

A further highlight of this year's Plenary is an ecumenical and interfaith panel presentation on the challenges to freedom of religion and freedom of conscience in the current cultural and political contexts. The invited panel members include representatives of the Catholic, Anglican, Evangelical, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu faith communities.

In addition to the conduct of the general business, the Plenary agenda will also include the discussion of topics such as: Canada's Northern dioceses (formerly missionary dioceses); presentations from participants of the 2018 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the World Youth Day 2019, and the International Youth Forum 2019; the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace-Caritas Canada; responsible ministry; and pastoral care of Indigenous peoples.

Approximately 20 invited observers and guests from a number of national Catholic organizations and other Churches, together with accredited representatives of the media, will be present for the first day and half of the Plenary.

Watch the Plenary Assembly on the Internet and on cable

Coverage of the 2019 Plenary Assembly will be offered with the collaboration of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation. The Plenary will be live streamed on the Internet and on the Salt+Light cable channel, Salt+Light TV (check local listings). New this year, the Plenary can also be viewed via Facebook Live through Salt+Light's social media channel. The broadcast period includes Monday, September 23rd from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m and Tuesday, September 24th from 9 a.m. until noon. Daily celebration of the Eucharist, as well as evening prayer (Vespers), will be live streamed and broadcast on the cable channel daily throughout the week. Media briefings in English and in French will also be broadcast on Salt+Light TV every day. The complete broadcast schedule for the Plenary will be posted on the CCCB website in the coming weeks.