• US Muslims and Catholics discuss role of faith in the public square

US Muslims and Catholics discuss role of faith in the public square
Posted: November 13, 2009Transmis : 13 novembre, 2009

[Washington • USCCB Media 09-236] Muslims and Catholics discussed religion in the public square at an interreligious dialogue, October 25-27, in Milwaukee.

The annual meeting of the Midwest Catholic Muslim Interreligious Dialogue was hosted by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Initiatives and the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed of the Islamic Society of North America and Bishop Francis Reiss, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, on behalf the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Deliberations began with a well-attended public lecture entitled, “Faithful Citizenship – Catholic and Muslim Engagement in Civic Life” at the Islamic Center School. The Catholic perspective was presented by Michael Hovey, coordinator of the Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Detroit. The Islamic perspective was given by Dr. Irfan Omar, Professor of Islamic Studies at Marquette University.

The dialogue continued October 26, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with two presentations on “The Nature and Dignity of the Human Person: Implications for the Public Square.” The Catholic perspective was presented by Father Leo Walsh, Associate Director of the Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the USCCB. The Muslim perspective was presented by Dr. Zeki Saritoprak of John Carroll University, Cleveland. The participants noted several points of convergence arising from a common experience of both communities, especially regarding the experience of immigrant communities in the United States.

Bishop Reiss at a luncheon emphasized that practical cooperation of Catholics and Muslims in the public square is increasingly important in an era when contemporary society does not value the contribution of theology and religious conviction in public discourse.

Other sessions explored the theme “The Dignity of the Family: Catholic and Muslim Family Life and the Public Square – Blessings, Challenges and Opportunities.” Presenters included Joan Crist, PhD., Coordinator, Ecumenism & Interreligious Affairs of the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, and professor at Calumet College of St. Joseph and from Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Imam for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

Members of the dialogue noted many common concerns including efforts to maintain a faith-filled family life and passing on their religious heritage to the next generation despite the fact that society seems increasingly irreligious. They also cited cultural and socio-economic factors such as suburban sprawl as challenges to all people of faith.

Members of the dialogue discussed plans for publishing the results of their conversations and formed a subcommittee to determine a future course of action. They also expressed a desire to collaborate with the members of the West Coast and Mid-Atlantic regional Muslim-Catholic Dialogues.

The next meeting of the Midwest Muslim-Catholic Dialogue is slated for October, 2010, at a yet to be determined location.

In addition to the co-chairs, the Muslim representatives who attended this recent meeting include Dr. Ghulam-Haider Aasi, Professor, American Islamic College; Inshirah Farhoud, Outreach Coordinator, Islamic Society of Milwaukee; and Mohammad O. Farooq Associate Professor of Economics & Finance, Upper Iowa University. Muslim observers in attendance included presenters Dr. Irfan Omar, Dr. Saritoprak, and Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah.

Additional Catholic representatives included Scott Alexander, PhD., Associate Professor of Islam and Director Catholic-Muslim Studies, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago; Benedictine Sister Barbara Austin, Board Member, Monastic Interreligious Dialogue; Father Thomas Baima, Ph.D., Provost, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein; Dr. Crist; Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny, Ecumenical/Interfaith Officer, Archdiocese of Detroit; Ms. Judith Longdin, Director, Office of Ecumenical & Interfaith Concerns, Archdiocese of Milwaukee; Dominican Sister Joan McGuire, Director, Office for Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs, Archdiocese of Chicago; Father Raymond J. Webb, Professor, University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein; and Father Walsh, S.T.D, who serves as staff. Catholic observers included Hovey, Father Bob Flannery, President of the Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers (CADEIO), and Steven Cottam, Intern, Catholic Theological Union.

The Midwest Muslim-Catholic Dialogue has been sponsored jointly by the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Islamic Society of North America since 1996. Its latest statement, Revelation: Catholic and Muslim Perspectives was published in 2006. This and other texts are available on the USCCB Website.

• US Catholic & Polish National Catholic churches discuss clergy transfers

US Catholic & Polish National Catholic churches discuss clergy transfers
Posted: November 13, 2009Transmis : 13 novembre, 2009

[Washington • USCCB Media 09-237] The challenges of clergy transfers between churches stood as a key topic at the annual Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic dialogue, this year at the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, September 28-29. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of Buffalo and Bishop Anthony Mikovsky of the Central diocese of the PNCC co-chaired the meeting.

Members held a lengthy discussion on proposed recommendations about difficulties that arise when a clergyman transfers from one church to the other. A proposed text was refined and a process of consultation with appropriate bodies in the two churches will now be undertaken. Further revisions resulting from these consultations will be considered at the next meeting.

Msgr. John Strynkowski, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn, New York, spoke on the development of doctrine using principles from Cardinal Newman's Essay on the Development of Doctrine. He applied these to the Christological controversies of the early Church and the Eucharistic controversies at the time of the Reformation.

Members also considered two Roman Catholic Marian dogmas, the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption. The PNCC members distributed a text on the Mother of God taken from “The Road to Unity,” a collection of agreed statements of the joint Old Catholic-Orthodox Theological Commission that was adopted by a PNCC General Synod in 1990. Both churches have devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and seek her intercession, but differ over the Pope’s authority to raise these Marian teachings to the level of dogma.

Members of the dialogue also prayed together in the chapel of the Polish National Catholic Church Center, where Bishop Mikovsky presided over an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction.

The next meeting of the dialogue is slated to take place in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 11 and 12, 2010.

Webeditors note: The PNCC was established in the 19th century from Polish Roman Catholics and is found primarily in the US. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes the PNCC's clerical orders and other sacraments. The two churches have an agreement permitting sacramental sharing in exceptional circumstances. The PNCC was in full communion with the Old Catholic Union of Utrecht until recently when the latter decided to ordain women. As this press release indicates, a central issue in the continuing dialogue between the RCC and the PNCC is the role and authority of the papacy.

• Anglican apostolic constitution published today

Anglican apostolic constitution published today
Posted: November 9, 2009Transmis : 9 novembre, 2009

This morning the Vatican announced the publication of the apostolic constitution enacting the canonical provisions for new Anglican ordinariates. As well, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued "complementary norms" to accompany the apostolic constitution.

• The Vatican Information Service press release is found below.
• The apostolic constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus" is found here
• The complementary norms are found at here
• An official canonical commentary issued by the Vatican is available here

ANGLICANORUM COETIBUS AND COMPLEMENTARY NORMS

VATICAN CITY, 9 NOV 2009 (VIS) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith today published the Apostolic Constitution "Anglicanorum coetibus", which provides for personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church, and some Complementary Norms for the same Apostolic Constitution.

Both documents are dated 4 November, feast of St. Charles Borromeo, and are signed by Cardinal William Joseph Levada and Archbishop Luis F. Ladaria S.J., respectively prefect and secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

An English-language communique released by the congregation recalls how on 20 October, Cardina Levada "announced a new provision responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Catholic Church.

"The Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus' which is published today introduces a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing personal ordinariates, which will allow the above mentioned groups to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony. At the same time, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is publishing a set of Complementary Norms which will guide the implementation of this provision.

"This Apostolic Constitution opens a new avenue for the promotion of Christian unity while, at the same time, granting legitimate diversity in the expression of our common faith. It represents not an initiative on the part of the Holy See, but a generous response from the Holy Father to the legitimate aspirations of these Anglican groups. The provision of this new structure is consistent with the commitment to ecumenical dialogue, which continues to be a priority for the Catholic Church.

"The possibility envisioned by the Apostolic Constitution for some married clergy within the personal ordinariates does not signify any change in the Church's discipline of clerical celibacy. According to the Vatican Council II, priestly celibacy is a sign and a stimulus for pastoral charity and radiantly proclaims the reign of God".

The Apostolic Constitution contains thirteen sections which concern, among other things: the formation of the new ordinariates which possess, according to paragraph 3 of section 1, "public juridic personality by the law itself (ipso iure)" and are "juridically comparable to a diocese"; the power of the ordinary, "to be exercised jointly with that of the local diocesan bishop in those cases provided for in the Complementary Norms"; candidates for Holy Orders; erection, with the approval of the Holy See, of new Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the "ad limina" visit of the ordinary, etc.

The Complementary Norms concern the jurisdiction of the Holy See; relations with episcopal conferences and diocesan bishops; the ordinary; the faithful of the ordinariate; the clergy; former Anglican bishops; the governing council; the pastoral council, and personal parishes.

• The Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council - Communiqué

The Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council - Communiqué
Posted: November 4, 2009Transmis : 4 novembre, 2009

[ACNS 4666 • Canterbury] The Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council (AOCICC) met in the International Study Centre, Canterbury, England, from 26 to 29 October 2009. The Council welcomed the Revd Carola von Wrangel from the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe as a new member.

The members received reports of developments in each Communion and reviewed present ecumenical dialogues in which our Communions are engaged. The Council studied several papers on the theology of blessing. It also discussed and adopted an information leaflet about the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht.

A draft text for a common statement on ecclesiology and mission was discussed. The Council will present it to the Anglican and Old Catholic Bishops' Conference and recommends that it be made the theme of the forthcoming International Old Catholic and Anglican Theological Conference in 2011.

Attention was given to the recently published document "Kirche und Kirchengemeinschaft" (Church and Communion) of the International Roman Catholic-Old Catholic Dialogue Commission (IRAD), as well as to the recent Vatican announcement of the Apostolic Constitution to provide personal ordinariates for Anglicans and former Anglicans.

The Council participated in daily Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and the Eucharist in the Cathedral. The Bible Studies each morning were led by members of the Council. The Council was present at the consecration of the Bishop of Shrewsbury (Diocese of Lichfield) by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Abbey. Old Catholic bishops Joachim Vobbe and Harald Rein joined with the College of Anglican bishops in the laying on of hands.

At a dinner hosted by the Dean of Canterbury he welcomed members of the Council and led them on a candle-lit pilgrimage in the Cathedral.

The next meeting of the Council will take place 8-12 November 2010 in Germany.

Bishop Harold Rein extended an invitation to the 30th International Old Catholic Congress, to be held 9-13 August 2010 in Zurich.

For further information, please contact the Revd Professor Dr Angela Berlis, tel +41 (0)31 631 4193, email , or Neil Vigers at the Anglican Communion Office, tel +44 (0)20 7313 3929, email .

The members of the Anglican-Old Catholic International Co-ordinating Council are:

Anglicans

The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill - Co-chair
Mr Neil Vigers - acting Co-secretary
The Rt Revd David Hamid
Mrs Maryon Jägers
The Revd Dr Jeremy Morris
The Revd Carola von Wrangel

Old Catholics

The Rt Revd Joachim Vobbe - Co-chair
The Revd Professor Dr Angela Berlis - Co-secretary
The Revd Henriette Crüwell (absent)
The Revd Professor Dr David R. Holeton
The Rt Revd Dr Harald Rein
The Rt Revd Dr Dick Schoon (absent)

Administrative Support and Interpreter: The Revd Lars Simpson

• This item is also available in German.

• Orthodox-Catholic Consultation Responds To ‘Ravenna Document’

Orthodox-Catholic Consultation Responds To ‘Ravenna Document’
Posted: November 4, 2009Transmis : 4 novembre, 2009

[Washington • USCCB Media] The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation finalized a joint response to the international dialogue’s 2007 “Ravenna Document” at their 77th meeting, held at Saint Paul’s College in Washington, October 22-24. Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh and Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans presided over it.

This was Archbishop Aymond’s first meeting as Catholic Co-Chair. Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, named Archbishop Aymond to succeed Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk last summer. Archbishop Aymond, who had been with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in New Orleans the day before the meeting, extended the Patriarch’s warm greetings to the Consultation. Most of the meeting centered on finalizing the Common Response, the full text of which is found at http://www.usccb.org/seia/RavennaResponse.pdf

Overall the North American dialogue welcomed the document, and viewed its adoption as a sign that the international dialogue, that has faced significant difficulties in the recent past, has been able to resume its study of ecclesiology and present an approved statement on the topic.

The Common Response examines the Ravenna Document’s treatment of conciliarity and authority at three levels within the Church: the local level (diocese), the regional level (Episcopal conferences, metropolitanates and patriarchates) and the universal level. It also takes exception to the sole footnote in the Ravenna document, and argues that the representations of both the Orthodox and Catholic understandings of the Church in the footnote are inaccurate.

The full title of the Ravenna Document is “Ecclesiological and Canonical Consequences of the Sacramental Nature of the Church: Ecclesial Communion, Conciliarity and Authority.” It is available on the Vatican website and on the website of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The North American consultation has also issued common responses to the earlier agreed statements produced by the international dialogue.

Members also continued work on the theme of primacies and conciliarity in the Church. They examined a first draft of a proposed agreed statement on this question, entitled “Steps Towards a United Church: A Sketch of an Orthodox-Catholic Vision for the Future.” Still in its preliminary stages, the text will be revised and considered again at the next meeting of the dialogue. To enhance the consultation’s examination of this theme, Father John Erickson presented a paper entitled “Primacy and Conciliarity at the Regional Level,” and Father Joseph Komonchak spoke on the analysis of the Council of Sardica (343 AD) by the noted French Dominican theologian Hervé Legrand.

One session of the meeting was devoted to a sharing of information about major events in the lives of the two churches. The topics discussed included the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference and its implications for Orthodoxy in North America, the papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate, the nomination of a new U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, relations between the two Romanian Orthodox jurisdictions in North America, the recently announced creation of personal ordinariates for former Anglicans within the Catholic Church, and the situation of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.

The next meeting of the dialogue is scheduled to take place at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, June 1-3, 2010.

In addition to the co-chairs, the Consultation include Orthodox representatives Father Thomas FitzGerald (Secretary), Father Nicholas Apostola, Father Erickson, Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Ph.D., Father James Dutko, Paul Meyendorff, Ph.D., Father Alexander Golitzin, Robert Haddad, Ph.D., Father Robert Stephanopoulos, Father Theodore Pulcini, and Father Mark Arey, General Secretary of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas SCOBA (staff).

Additional Catholic members are Jesuit Father Brian Daley (Secretary), Thomas Bird, Ph.D., Sylvain Destrempes, Ph.D., Father Peter Galadza, Chorbishop John D. Faris, Father John Galvin, Father Sidney Griffith, Father Komonchak, Father Paul McPartlan, Father David Petras, Sister of Charity of Leavenworth Susan K. Wood, Vito Nicastro, Ph.D., and Paulist Father Ronald Roberson, who serves as staff.

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation is sponsored jointly by SCOBA, the Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Since its establishment in 1965, the Consultation has now issued 23 agreed statements on various topics. All these texts are now available on the USCCB Website and the SCOBA website.

• 2009 Parliament of the World's Religions

2009 Parliament of the World's Religions

2009 Parliament of the World's Religions: Conference Proposals Requested

Melbourne, Australia -- December 3-9, 2009

The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions invites all people of faith, spirit and goodwill to encounter the vast and rich diversity of the world's religious and spiritual traditions. Take part in over 500 events including keynote addresses, seminars, conferences, dialogues, performances, concerts and exhibitions on the theme: "Make a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the earth".

Key topics of global concern will be addressed from religious and spiritual perspectives. These include:

• Healing the Earth with Care and Concern
• Reconciling with Indigenous Peoples
• Overcoming Poverty in a Patriarchal World
• Securing Food and Water for all People
• Building Peace in the Pursuit of Justice
• Sharing Wisdom in the Search for Inner Peace

Consider submitting a proposal to present on one of these topics, or other areas of pressing concern. Full instructions are available online, as are registration materials and additional information. www.parliamentofreligions.org.

• Faith, Life and Technology

Faith, Life and Technology

The Canadian Council of Churches celebrates 10 years of biotechnology, theology and ethics. Join us to discern the theological, ethical and policy challenges for the next decade.

Dr. Conrad Brunk, Philosopher & Ethicist, University of Victoria, Department of Philosophy
Dr. Gayle Woloschak, Director, Zygon Centre for Religion And Science
Dr. Gregor Wolbring, International Centre for Bioethics, Culture, and Disability
Bishop Linda Nicholls, Anglican Bishop of Trent-Durham, Diocese of Toronto
Dr. Ann Clark, Associate Professor, Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph
Álvaro Salgado, Centro Nacional de Ayuda a las Misiones Indígenas – Mexico City
Dr. Heather Eaton, Professor, Faculty of Theology, St. Paul’s University

December 3rd and 4th, 2009 at the United Church of Canada General Council Offices, 2nd floor, 3250 Bloor Street West, Toronto. Space is limited. Register by email with Peter Noteboom () before November 17 2009.
Registration: $50 on site or in advance. Cash or cheques payable to The Canadian Council of Churches.

• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

The theme for the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is "You are Witnesses of These Things". The theme is drawn from Luke 24: 48. In the ecumenical movement we have often meditated on Jesus' final discourse before his death. In this final testament the importance of the unity of Christ's disciples is emphasized: “That all may be one ... so that the world may believe.” (John 17.21)

This year the churches of Scotland have made the original choice of inviting us to listen to Christ's final discourse before his ascension, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24.46-48). It is on these final words of Christ that we shall reflect each day. During the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are invited to follow the whole of chapter 24 of Luke's gospel. Whether it be the terrified women at the tomb, the two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus or the eleven disciples overtaken by doubt and fear, all who together encounter the Risen Christ are sent on mission: “You are witness of these things”. This mission of the Church is given by Christ and cannot be appropriated by anyone. It is the community of those who have been reconciled with God and in God, and who can witness to the truth of the power of salvation in Jesus Christ.

We sense that Mary Magdalene, Peter or the two Emmaus disciples will not witness in the sameway. Yet it will be the victory of Jesus over death that all will place at the heart of their witness. The personal encounter with the risen One has radically changed their lives and in its uniqueness for each one of them one thing becomes imperative: “You are witnesses of these things.” Their story will accentuate different things, sometimes dissent may arise between them about what faithfulness to Christ requires, and yet all will work to announce the Good News.

Further details including the 2010 resources, suggestions for observing the WPCU in your community, and a brief history of the Week of Prayer are available on our WPCU page at http://www.ecumenism.net/wpcu/

We have started a Facebook group for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This is a public group. If you are a Facebook user, please join the group, view the resources listed on the page, and share your resources and announcements with others.

• Preparing for Ecumenical Ministries

Preparing for Ecumenical Ministries

Saskatoon Theological Union (St. Andrew's College) will be offering a "Preparing for Ecumenical Ministries" course from January 18-22, 2010, for credit or audit. It will run from 9-5 daily. The instructor will be Sandra Beardsall (Professor of Church History and Ecumenics).

The course description is as follows:

Increasing numbers of Christian communities are working ecumenically to facilitate mission and ministry, especially in areas of depopulation or other financial struggle. Many of these choose to link formally as “ecumenical shared ministry” congregations or clusters.

This course will explore the dynamics particular to developing and sustaining ecumenical ministry initiatives in congregational settings. It will introduce participants to the structures of such ministries, and consider issues that are unique to ecumenical congregational relationships. It will include the study of pertinent theological documents and denominational agreements, practical issues like the production of covenants and constitutions, and the pastoral challenges that affect all congregations, but with attention to the nuances for ecumenical ministries, attending to sources of support for clergy and other congregational leaders. Finally, the course will engage questions of our personal struggles and delights in confronting Christian identity and otherness.

Participants will identify and strengthen their gifts for ecumenical ministries, in the context of these many aspects of faith, theology, and leadership. It is open to those already serving in ecumenical ministries (may be taken for STM credit) as well as those who wish to explore the possibilities. An audit course costs $300; credit is $600.

For further information, or to register, contact the Registrar at or call 1-877-644-8970.

• World Religions Summit 2010: Interfaith Leaders in the G8 Nations

World Religions Summit 2010: Interfaith Leaders in the G8 Nations

In 2010 the leaders of some of the world's most powerful countries - the G8 - will meet in Canada. Each year these leaders meet to make commitments to alleviate poverty, hunger, HIV/AIDS, malaria, illiteracy, child mortality and poor maternal heather as well as improve environmental sustainability and global partnerships for development. The G8 countries' compliance with their own commitments averages 47%.

Since 2005, global faith leaders have met in tandem with G8 meetings to issue a statement calling on the G8 to fulfil their commitments to the world's most poor and vulnerable, and to ensure concrete, discernible, life giving and life sustaining progress in the lives of all people and of our plant.

• International Ecumenical Peace Convocation

International Ecumenical Peace Convocation

The culmination of the WCC Decade to Overcome Violence will be an International Ecumenical Peace Convocation on May 4-11, 2011 in Kingston, Jamaica. Work on an Ecumenical Declaration on Just Peace will culminate in its adoption there. The declaration will not be a consensus document but, as a public affirmation of witness that is theological and spiritual in character, it will affirm what can be said together, identify topics for further discussion, recommend examples, and initiate practical services for committed groups. The convocation, expected to have some two thousand participants, will include representatives of other faiths. Planners will search with these representatives for ministries that struggle against the current trend to turn political conflict into religious confrontation. A timeline of preparatory processes has already been outlined, suggestions for participation have been posted, and related events will be listed as information is available. Geiko Muller-Fahrenholz, who is working on convocation preparations for the WCC, has visited the U.S. in March to garner ideas and dialogue about the state of the ecumenical peace movement. Themes for the conference have been identified as: peace at heart, peace at home, peace in the virtual world, peace on earth is peace with the earth, peace in the market place, and make peace not war.

• A Time for Hope: A National Marriage Enrichment Conference

A Time for Hope: A National Marriage Enrichment Conference
Posted: September 16, 2009Transmis : 16 septembre, 2009

A National Marriage Enrichment Conference

March 19-20, 2010
Sheraton Cavalier, Saskatoon, SK

1-877-661-5005, ext 229
www.marriage2010.ca

Download the brochure or poster

• The Canadian Council of Churches addresses US health care debates

The Canadian Council of Churches addresses US health care debates
Posted: August 14, 2009Transmis : 14 août, 2009

The Canadian Council of Churches has written to three of the largest church bodies in the United States – the National Council of Churches, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National Association of Evangelicals – to share experiences in similar debates on health care that have taken place in Canada.

Noting that Canadians are aware that certain lobby groups and media outlets in the United States regularly use critical references to Canada’s health care system and interviews with Canadian citizens to support their arguments, and that a publicly administered, single-payer system such as we have in Canada has not been proposed by Washington law makers, the letter states that, "the principles guiding our health care system have an unmistakable affinity with the love of neighbour..."

The experience of the Council is offered to the NCC, USCCB, and the NAE, with a view of sharing wisdom without imposition. The letter is one of solidarity, which affirms the belief that health care is a moral enterprise that must be undertaken in the advocacy work of Christian churches.

Given the timely and critical nature of these debates, the voice of the churches must not go unheard.

Look here for the complete text of the letter.

For more information or an interview please contact:
Erin Green
Communications Officer
The Canadian Council of Churches
416.972.9494 x 42

• Le Conseil canadien des Églises a écrit aux églises des États-Unis

Le Conseil canadien des Églises a écrit aux églises des États-Unis
Posted: August 14, 2009Transmis : 14 août, 2009

Le Conseil canadien des Églises a écrit à trois des plus grands organismes religieux des États-Unis, soit au National Council of Churches, à la United States Conference of Catholic Bishops et à la National Association of Evangelicalism pour partager avec eux son expérience de débats sur les soins de santé analogues à ceux qui ont eu lieu au Canada.

Observant, d’une part, que les Canadiens savent que certains groupes de pression et médias des États-Unis se servent des références critiques au système de soins de santé du Canada et d’interviews de citoyens pour appuyer leurs arguments et, d’autre part, que les législateurs de Washington n’ont pas proposé le système financé par l’État et à payeur unique que nous avons au Canada, la lettre mentionne que « les principes qui guident notre système de soins de santé ont une affinité incontestable avec l’amour du prochain… »

Le Conseil offre les fruits de son expérience au NCC, à la USCCB et à la NAE dans le dessein de partager sa sagesse avec eux sans rien imposer. Il s’agit ici d’une lettre de solidarité affirmant notre conviction selon laquelle les soins de santé représentent une entreprise morale que les Églises chrétiennes se doivent d’appuyer dans le cadre de leur défense des droits. (disponible en anglais seulement)

L’urgence et la nature critique de ces débats exigent que la voix des Églises se fasse entendre.

Voir ci-joint le texte intégral de la lettre.

Pour en savoir davantage ou pour obtenir une interview, prière de contacter :

Erin Green
Agente de communication
Le Conseil canadien des Églises
416.972.9494 x 42

• Fr. Bernard de Margerie - A Life in Ecumenism

Fr. Bernard de Margerie - A Life in Ecumenism
Posted: August 6, 2009Transmis : 6 août, 2009

At the end of June this year, Fr. Bernard de Margerie retired from active ministry after over 50 years. During these years he has served in parish ministry across the RC Diocese of Saskatoon, and in a number of specialized ministries. The Prairie Centre for Ecumenism claims Fr. Bernard as our own. He was the founder of the Centre back in 1984, and served as the executive director until 1994. He has continued to have an active role in ecumenism in Saskatoon and across the diocese in more recent years. At retirement, he was pastor of Paroisse Sts-Martyrs-Canadiens in Saskatoon, and ecumenical officer for the diocese.

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January 2009, Fr. Bernard was "interviewed" by Jan Bigland-Pritchard during the concluding service at McClure United Church. Jan asked him about his life in ecumenism, his recollections about early ecumenical endeavours in Saskatoon, and the founding of the Centre. Here is an audio recording of that interview.

At the Summer Ecumenical Institute in June 2009, Fr. Bernard participated in a panel discussion about the current state of the ecumenical movement. Reflecting on the levels of ecumenical awareness and commitment today, Fr. Bernard suggested that the churches and their leadership need a new conversion to Christian unity. "The journey has become too long, too heavy, and light has dimmed." As other panellists commented on the apparent "ecumenical winter", Fr. Bernard reminded us that ecumenical achievements come from the Holy Spirit who moves the hearts of faithful Christians to commitment to the will of Christ for unity. Ecumenical conversion remains an important theme in Fr. Bernard's ecumenical vision, as it has throughout his ministry. Reports from the Summer Ecumenical Institute appeared in the Prairie Messenger on June 17:
• Formation of Catholics on unity still 'severely lacking'
• Crisis in ecumenism related to its success
• Prairie Centre hosts Summer Ecumenical Institute

• New Archbishop for Saint-Boniface

New Archbishop for Saint-Boniface
Posted: July 3, 2009Transmis : 3 juillet, 2009

[Ottawa • CCCB] Pope Benedict XVI today named Most Reverend Albert LeGatt as Archbishop of Saint-Boniface. At the time of his appointment, he was Bishop of Saskatoon.

The Holy Father also accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Émilius Goulet, P.S.S., in accordance with the Code of Canon Law which sets the mandatory age of retirement for bishops at 75. Archbishop Goulet, who turned 76 last May, has served the diocese of Saint-Boniface for a little more than a year past his 75th birthday. He had been appointed Archbishop of Saint-Boniface in [June] 2001.

Born on May 6 1953, in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Bishop LeGatt was ordained a priest on 19 June 1983 for the Diocese of Prince Albert. Before his appointment as Bishop of Saskatoon, in July 2001, he had served in several parishes and had held the office of Diocesan Consultor, Director of Vocations and Coordinator of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy.

Bishop LeGatt studied at the College of Saint Boniface where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. He has worked with Canadian University Students Overseas (CUSO) where he taught young people in Ghana for three years, before returning to Canada for his theological studies with the Grand Séminaire at Laval University, Quebec City.

As a member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Archbishop-elect LeGatt has served on the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council (formerly the Council for Reconciliation, Solidarity and Communion with Aboriginal Peoples). He is currently the Chairman of the English Sector Commission for Liturgy and Sacraments.

The Diocese of Saint Boniface has a Catholic population of 113,495 in 103 parishes and missions, served by 75 diocesan priests, 36 religious order priests, 24 permanent deacons and 307 religious Sisters and Brothers.