Bishops’ Conference takes up collection for needs of Church in Canada

By Vatican News

In his reflection for this year’s Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada, Archbishop Richard Gagnon, the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, notes the impact of the coronavirus on the Church in Canada and society at large.

“Our Episcopal Conference too has remained fully engaged,” he writes in a letter to Pastors and collaborators in pastoral ministry. “In the face of real obstacles, we innovated, drew strength from God and each other, and brought the Lord’s enduring message of comfort and healing to the weary.”

After thanking them for their continued support, Archbishop Gagnon says the Bishops’ Conference, “supported by donations to the Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada, will continue to facilitate common action among the Bishops, providing pastoral encouragement and resources for the local churches, and announcing the message of the Gospel for all to hear.”

A press release from the CCCB says the annual collection “is primarily to assist Bishops in paying their annual diocesan/eparchial assessment to the CCCB as well as any yearly financial contribution they make to their regional episcopal assembly.” The statement notes that additional funds raised through the Collection can be used by the dioceses and eparchies for their own pastoral needs.