Canadian Bishops in Rome

Bishops from the AWCB in Rome

This morning at the Vatican, Pope Francis met with the Bishops from Western Canada who are in Rome for their visit Ad Limina Apostolorum (literally to the thresholds of the Basilicas of the Apostles).  This is the second group of Canadian Bishops to make their visit to Rome this year, following the Bishops of Atlantic Canada who were in Rome from 13 to 18 March 2017.

Ad Limina visits usually occur every five years.  In anticipation of the physical visit to Rome, each Diocesan Bishop sends a report detailing the current state of his diocese.  These reports form the basis of the discussions that take place with representatives of the various offices within the Roman Curia, and the Holy Father receives the Bishops in Audience.

In some cases, the Bishops of entire countries visit together, but in Canada, the Bishops visit according to various regions - Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario or Western.  The Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops (AWCB) was established in 1974 and gathers the leaders of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic Churches of the four western Canadian provinces as well as the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

The Bishops of Ontario will travel to Rome after Easter for their Ad Limina and the Bishops of Quebec will visit in May.