Canada������Ƶapp Catholic bishops spent two full sessions at their recent plenary signing off on a major overhaul of how the national conference of prelates should operate.

Canada������Ƶapp bishops began their 2024 plenary assembly Sept. 23 with the ancient invocation of the Holy Spirit Venite Creator Spiritus, but in their message to Pope Francis they spoke, in another Latin phrase, of a new modus operandi in the Church.

The ongoing Synod on Synodality, the plight of migrants and refugees and continued efforts to safeguard minors and vulnerable groups from abuse will be prominent topics discussed during the Canadian bishops' 2024 Plenary Assembly in Beaupré, Que., from Sept. 23-27.

Canada������Ƶapp Catholic bishops were urged by a Muslim Imam at their annual plenary assembly to speak out for “moral rights” — while also being counselled by a Cardinal to pursue reforms that make the Church “open to all.”

Toronto Archbishop Francis Leo will be at old home week as the new kid on the block when Canada������Ƶapp Catholic bishops convene for their annual plenary meetings next week.

At their first in-person meetings in three years, Canada������Ƶapp bishops spoke about concrete steps toward reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians — concrete steps that include an $18.6 million bill for Pope Francis’ apostolic visit in July, continued efforts to raise $30 million over the next five years, easier access for residential school survivors and their families to diocesan archives across the country and forging personal relationships between bishops and Indigenous leaders.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops got a hot scolding last week from the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec for what the FPJQ called a “deplorable” decision to bar journalists from this week������Ƶapp plenary meetings.

After two years of elaborate, COVID-enforced Zoom calls, Canada������Ƶapp bishops will see each other face-to-face again at this year������Ƶapp plenary meetings Sept. 26 to 29 in Cornwall, Ont.

OTTAWA -- The future of the Catholic Church in Canada emerged as a main theme as Canada������Ƶapp bishops gathered online for the second year in a row for a virtual plenary assembly Sept. 21-24.

As Canada������Ƶapp bishops gathered on computer screens this past week, bypassing the “norm” of their usual annual plenary, the old saying “what a difference a year makes” was probably uttered more than once.