Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) General Secretary Msgr. Patrick Powers said the financial picture for the conference “still works out all right,” relative to the budget deficits of several years ago that forced a massive restructuring of the Ottawa secretariat.

“But the warning signs are there,” Powers said. “If we do not deal with some of the major important issues that are creating difficulties for the conference, we’ll find ourselves in terrible trouble.”

He cited secretariat pension issues as one problem

“Pension plans find themselves in deficit positions and major payments have had to be made to the pension plan here since the year 2003/2004; over $500,000,” Powers said. “That just doesn’t fall from the sky.”

The CCCB faced an upgrade of its computers, servers and web site that cost $250,000 but Powers noted the technological infrastructure “had not been touched” in 15 years. This investment will increase the productivity of the work force at the secretariat, he said.

“With the additional expenses we had, we are still holding our own but we would be irresponsible if we did not realize we are accumulating a significant deficit that gets supported by the overall picture,” he said.

The jumpy stock markets and threats of a debt crisis in Europe and a recession in the United States have also contributed to a bleaker financial picture for the Canadian Church as a whole.

“It’s becoming harder and harder for dioceses to pay the per capita they have because of financial situation we’re in,” he said. 

Halifax Archbishop Anthony Mancini and London Bishop Ronald Fabbro, who are featured presenters at McGill University’s abuse conference in Montreal Oct. 14-15, will share their perspectives on the topic. London Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Daniels will also give an overview of a Rome meeting earlier this year where representatives from various English-speaking episcopal conferences “shared their experiences about protecting children and vulnerable adults,” according to CCCB Assistant General Secretary Bede Hubbard.

“What we do now is what’s going to lead us through the next year,” Powers said. “The plenary is the highest instance of authority in the Church.”

The executive has already been elected, except for the position of co-treasurer for the French Sector. Traditionally, French and English Sectors have rotated leadership of the CCCB.

CCCB President Bishop Pierre Morissette of St. Jerome finishes a two-year term at the plenary’s close. Vice president Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton has been elected to a two-year term as president. Alexandria-Cornwall Bishop Paul-Andre Durocher moves from four years as co-treasurer for the French Sector into the vice presidential slot, and Hamilton Bishop Douglas Crosby continues another two-year term as co-treasurer, poised to move into the VP position a couple of years from now. Two names have been put forward for the new French Sector co-treasurer: Saint-Jean Longueuil Bishop Lionel Gendron and Rimouski Archbishop Pierre-Andre Fournier.

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins, episcopal delegate for the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum coetibus, will report on whether Canada will have an ordinariate for Anglicans wishing to become Catholic while retaining aspects of the liturgy, patrimony and married priesthood.

The CCCB’s doctrinal commission will guide a discussion on freedom and formation of conscience; the justice and peace commission will lead a reflection on immigration; and the Christian unity and interfaith commission will focus on the fruits of the ecumenical dialogue and the New Evangelization, Powers said.

The plenary will also hear reports from various Catholic organizations, including the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and the Catholic Organization for Life and Family.

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana will address the plenary, linking the events in the Canadian Church to that of the Universal Church and the Holy See.

Powers said the CCCB will present the nuncio with the second copy of the new Canadian version of the English translation of the Roman Missal at a reception in his honour Oct. 17 (the first copy will be presented to Pope Benedict XVI by Smith, Durocher and Powers in November).

The first batch of missals — 1,000 copies of each of the large parish version and the smaller chapel version — are set to arrive Oct. 15, a month ahead of schedule.