March 7, 2011 (disponible en francais aussi)
Toronto, ON: The Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry (CCCM) releases its first ever Status Report on Catholic Campus Ministry in Canada.
Universities are recognized as producing leaders of our society. During this time when young people are forming their adult identities and values, academic studies and campus life can feel far removed from their faith, or at worse their faith can feel under attack. Campus Ministry provides an essential home for faith on campus where students can develop into bright, just, mature and inspiring faith filled leaders.
What is the face of Catholic Campus Ministry? On what campuses, is there a Catholic campus ministry program? What campuses lack campus ministry? Who is doing it? What training do they have? Who is funding it? The answers to these crucial questions and more, is now available in this colourful, informative and engaging 2011 status report.
"We are thrilled to find that nationally 70% of campus ministers use all twelve elements of the comprehensive campus ministry model and that 74% of the lead ministers have a graduate degree in ministry. This is in line with our professional standards and also reveals how versatile and multifaceted campus ministry is in Canada. As well, campus ministry is truly national with programs serving 66 campuses. One area of concern though is that only 32 of these programs employ full time ministers, and one-quarter are staffed with a campus minister for less than eight hours a week. Similar disparities exist with respect to operational and professional development budgets. These findings motivate us all to find ways to support the growth of campus ministry, " reports CCCM chair, Fr. Daniel Renaud.
Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry invites the whole Church to share this report and is eager to convene conversations with bishops, university and college administrators, Catholic academics, religious communities, youth ministers, Catholic organizations and movements, parents and all who care about the future of our Church, its engagement with the academic community, and the formation of its future leaders. Together we can move towards realizing the vision of comprehensive campus ministry for all Catholic university students.
Concurrent with the release of this report, the CCCM is also releasing its key documents for comprehensive and professional campus ministry – its Comprehensive Campus Ministry model, its Professional Standards and Professional Code of Ethics. These documents can be downloaded freely at www.cccm.ca. Printed copies can be ordered from the CCCM.
The Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry is a national network of professional Catholic campus ministers grounded in the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and inspired by the vision of the Second Vatican Council. CCCM exists to bring the Gospel of Christ to the academic world. CCCM is supported by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops through an Episcopal liaison, currently Bishop Fred Colli, and annual funding of the national coordinator position, established in 1948.
For more information, contact Lori Neale 416-506-0183(w), 647-296-9645(c), cccmadmin@cccm.ca
