Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Bishops of the Catholic Church in Canada. It was founded in 1943 and was officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948. Since the Second Vatican Council, it became part of a worldwide network of Episcopal Conferences, established in 1965, as an integral part of the life of the universal Church. Up until 1977 it was called the Canadian Catholic Conference. The change reflects more clearly the fact that it is an association of Bishops.

According to its statutes, together the Bishops exercise certain pastoral functions for Catholics in Canada, respecting the autonomy of each Bishop in the service of his particular Church.

Through the work of its members, the Conference is involved in matters of national and international scope in areas such as ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, social justice, aid to developing countries, the protection of human life, liturgy and Christian education. It also provides the bishops with a forum where they can share their experience and insight on the life of the Church and the major events that shape our society.

The members of the Episcopal Conference include: all diocesan bishops in Canada and those equivalent to them in law, all Coadjutor Bishops, and Auxiliary Bishops. Also included in the Episcopal Conference are Titular Bishops of any rite within the Catholic Church who exercise in the territory a special office assigned to them by the Apostolic See or by the Episcopal Conference.