The Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association congratulates Archbishop Richard Smith’s recent election as the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ President.
Archbishop Smith of Edmonton was elected at the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in late October.
The new president brings a wealth of experience, having lived in many parts of Canada. He was born in Halifax and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Halifax. He was named Bishop of Pembroke in 2002, and appointed Archbishop of Edmonton by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. He has been CCCB Vice President since 2009.
Archbishop Smith will succeed Bishop Pierre Morissette.
The CCCB is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada, and focuses on national and international matters, including ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, theology, social justice, aid to developing countries, the protection of human life, liturgy, communications and Christian education.
CCSTA President Paula Peroni congratulated Archbishop Smith on his election as the new president. She also expressed her gratitude for the two organizations’ continued relationship.
“As the national voice of Catholic education in Canada, CCSTA’s mission is to ‘promote and protect the right to Catholic Education in Canada’,” she wrote. “To achieve this mission, we work in communion with the Catholic church, through collaboration with the CCCB, and in solidarity with Catholic Trustee Associations and other Catholic partners throughout Canada. We know from our experience that you appreciate the complexity of issues facing Catholic schools, and the challenge we must deal with in the diversity of jurisdictions where Catholic schools operate in Canada. We know as well that our Catholic Bishops support in many ways the provision of Catholic education in their respective dioceses.”
Archbishop Smith thanked Paula Peroni for the congratulatory note, confirming the CCCB’s support for CCSTA’s objectives.
“I very much appreciate the importance of the mission and work of the Catholic School Trustees’ Association,” he stated. “I am certain that our Conference will continue finding ways to work with your Association on a variety of issues. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen you, your Association and all those involved in supporting Catholic Education.”
At the Plenary Assembly, Archbishop Paul-André Durocher was elected at the CCCB Vice President. Just last month he was named Archbishop of Gatineau. Since 2007, he has served two terms as the CCCB French Sector Co-Treasurer.
CCSTA wishes Archbishop Smith and the CCCB all the best in the coming year.
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