Canadian bishops offer support for 2008 eucharistic congress

Published: 2003-11-03

CAP-DE-LA-MADELEINE, Quebec (CNS) -- Canadian bishops have agreed to provide pastoral and financial support if they get to host the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec in 2008. Despite debts from the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto and a projected budget deficit for a fourth consecutive year, the bishops voted Oct. 31 at their annual plenary assembly in Cap-de-la-Madeleine to renew their support for the international gathering, held in a different country every four years. "This project will be an occasion of celebrating the birth and development of the Catholic Church in our country and also an opportunity to manifest the vitality of the church today," said Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, the city where the celebration would be held. "It could make us more aware of our Christian roots and at the same time witness to the world." The congress would coincide with the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and the 350th anniversary of the appointment of Blessed Francois de Laval as Canada's first bishop.

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