CCCB downsized.

Ottawa -- The Canadian Catholic Church Directory defines the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) as "the national assembly of the Catholic bishops of Canada. Through this association the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops of Canada express their collegial responsibility through collective action to ensure the progress of the Church and the coordination of Catholic activities in Canada." Most Canadian Catholics are not even aware that this organization exists; so news that the CCCB will cut $800,000 to balance its 2005 budget through restructuring, consolidations, and downsizing is hardly earth-shattering, or that the deficit built up over the past few years will be eliminated by adding to the per capita tax that each diocese is assessed to fund the CCCB. The offices serving ecumenism and aboriginal affairs will be eliminated and the work spread over other departments; the part-time policy and legal advisory position (Jennifer Leddy) will be cut, as well as grants to some television programs.

Fr. Frank Morrisey, professor emeritus of canon law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, believes that the CCCB bureaucracy was "growing too large" and the bishops had to show "responsible stewardship." Bernard Daly, a former CCCB staff person, thinks otherwise. He calls the restructuring a "unilateral slashing" and wonders how long Catholics will be able to participate in debates in the Church, and contribute to debates in the public square on morality issues of the day, without the help of CCCB staff (Cath. Register, Nov. 28, 2004).

Comment:

One solution would be to involve knowledgeable lay people rather than bypass them as hitherto. Examples: REAL Women, Catholic Civil Rights League, Campaign Life Coalition, executives of pro-life organizations, members of new religious movements.