News releases

As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 70 countries in the world have not yet reached 40% vaccination coverage among their population. Approximately 20 countries haven’t even passed the 10% mark, while rich countries such as Canada have a vaccination coverage of about 80%. Inequalities in access to vaccines, tests and treatments for COVID-19 are contributing to prolonging the pandemic. In this context, the CRC has sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in order to encourage the Canadian government to continue its efforts to promote global vaccine equity.

In response to Pope Francis’ decision to consecrate both Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Ukrainian Catholic leaders will prepare with a novena that will start on 17 March 2022. They hope that all Catholic faithful from around the world will join them.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle received gratefully the recent announcement of the upcoming visit of First Nations, Inuit and Metis delegations with Our Holy Father Pope Francis at the Vatican to take place from March 28 to April 1, 2022. To make this encounter a true journey toward reconciliation, the Circle proposes two initiatives.

The Redemptorists of the Province of Canada stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and their Redemptorist brothers serving the Catholic faithful during this time of political turmoil. They pray for peace and the preservation of democracy in Ukraine.

Salt + Light Media opens this month its first Vatican Bureau, led by Jen Copestake, a Canadian-born broadcaster with more than 15 years of experience with the BBC. Supported by Salt + Light’s studio-headquarters in Toronto, Copestake joins the network as its first Vatican Bureau Chief to share truthful and accurate information to a world audience.

The Congregation of the Passion inaugurates its Jubilee on the occasion of 300 years of its life. The Passionist Jubilee Synod in Toronto is a time for people to gather to explorethe future of the mission of the Passionists at St. Gabriel’s and in Canada; to listento and learn from one another, to imagine how to address this issue, to move intoa better future, and to report these findings – all with the guidance of the HolySpirit.

Recognizing the moral obligation and urgency of faith-based institutions to do their part in addressing the climate crisis and climate injustice, the Mouvement Laudato Si’ Movement – Canada and Faith & the Common Good have developed the Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator Toolkit. It guides divestment from fossil fuels in favour of sustainable investments and a broader understanding of profitable returns.

Development and Peace — Caritas Canada is pleased to announce the election last week of its new national council. The national council is Development and Peace’s primary decision-making body. Its members, all volunteers, serve a three-year term. Since a transition to a new governance model that began last year, the national council also includes four Canadian bishops.