Ottawa – Bishops from across the country will gather in Cornwall, Ontario, next week for the 2022 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The gathering will bring together 72 Bishops for in-person meetings for the first time since 2019.

Over the course of four days, Bishops will have an opportunity to discuss a number of important topics, including:

 1) Indigenous Healing & Reconciliation - reflecting on the events of the past year, including the Indigenous Delegation to the Vatican (March 2022) and the Papal Visit to Canada (July 2022). Bishops will discuss next steps on an action plan moving forward on the journey of healing, reconciliation and hope.

 2) The “Synod on Synodality” - a global church initiative, drawing input from Catholics around the world. Earlier this month, the CCCB released a national synthesis summarizing key themes brought forward by Catholics in Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. This work will help inform a continental report and subsequent discussions at the Vatican in 2023.

 3) Fostering a Safe Environment - an update regarding the 2021 launch of the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop. The initiative demonstrated a commitment by the bishops to responsibility, accountability and transparency in matters of clergy sexual abuse.

 4) Reports from numerous sub-committees engaged in areas of pastoral care and responsibility including liturgy, catechesis and evangelization.

In addition, Bishops will hear directly from the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, the Most Reverend Ivan Jurkovič, the Pope’s representative in Canada.

A press conference will be held at the conclusion of the meeting on Thursday, 29 September 2022, at 12:30 p.m. The press conference will be live streamed for the benefit of any media that wish to attend virtually.

What is the Plenary Assembly?

The Plenary Assembly is a gathering of approximately 90 Bishops from across Canada. The meeting involves discussion on a broad range of topics affecting the Catholic faithful in Canada. The gathering typically includes the President’s annual report and an address by the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, as well as reports from the CCCB’s various commissions and committees. Decisions taken by the Plenary Assembly represent the highest instance of authority within the CCCB. Bishop Raymond Poisson, Bishop of St-Jérôme-Mont Laurier and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, will preside over the meeting.