The Early Years of the Christian Council of the Capital Area, 1971–1997

One of the first actions of the Canadian Council of Churches [following its foundation in 1944] was to urge formation of local Christian Councils. On February 6, 1948, the Ottawa Council of Churches arose from the existing local minsterial association. This first Council interpreted itself as being only for Churches who were also members of the Canadian Council of Churches [and so did not include the Roman Catholic Church]. This seems to have been a local interpretation. In a letter from the CCC to the Acting Secretary of the Ottawa Council, dated February 26, 1968, we read: ‘at the sixth meeting of the CCC in 1949, a resolution was adopted to the effect that the Council should encourage as a matter of policy the formation of autonomous Councils of Churches … If you should invite the Roman Catholics to membership, I do not see that this would prejudice your relationship with the CCC.’

As early as 1954 there was a concern among some members of the Ottawa Council that non-CCC member Churches should be invited to join. This concern found interesting resonance with ideas generated by the Second Vatican Council, and especially the 1964 Decree on Ecumenism. In 1966, the Ottawa Council established a committee to work toward including the Roman Catholic Church. An invitation to send observers was sent to the Archdiocese of Ottawa. This activity coincided with the appearance of a seminal document, the May 14, 1967 Vatican Directory Concerning Ecumenical Matters. Also this was the time when the very first ecumenical project of magnitude in Canada took place: The Christian Pavilion at Expo 67, the work of the famous ecumenist Father Iréné Beaubien of Montreal.

In February 1970, the Ottawa Council of Churches set up a Strategy Committee to ‘study the prospects of establishing a new Christian Fellowship in the Ottawa Area.’ This Committee was Chaired by the Rev. Frank Epp of the Mennonite Church. Archbishop Plourde had indicated that he accepted the invitation to be part of this committee in a letter to the Ottawa Council of Churches dated January 27, 1969. A key player in the formation of the Christian Council of the Capital Area was Father (later Bishop) John Beahen. The first meeting of the CCCA was held in the National Library on Wellington Street on December 11, 1971.

What this new Council set out to do is best reviewed by looking at Article II of the CCCA Constitution. It bears quoting at length:
1. To give visible expression to the unity of all Christain believers and congregations, of whatever tradition and denomination, who confess that Jesus Christ is the Saviour and Lord of humanity according to the Scriptures;
2. To provide a channel or agency for cooperation in fellowship, study, worship, service and witness activities related to the Capital area;
3. To give leadership to the increasing area-wide Christina cooperation in all areas of concern which do not require independent denominational, regional or congregational action;
4. To serve as liaison of the Capital area Christian community to such community organizations (governmental or non-governmental) as may request or welcome such a relationship;
5. To serve as a channel for Christian concerns, locally relevant, arising from the wider Christian community and its provincial, national, and international bodies;
6. To assume responsibilities arising from the geographic proximity of the capital area churches to the seat of federal government
7. To provide a channel of communication and liaison in inter-faith matters with other religions in the Capital area;
8. To seek full and equitable representation of all Christian groups, as stated in Article III–Membership.

With minor adjustments, the Council remains the same today [in 1997] as in 1971.

At the March 8, 1979 meeting of the Board of Directors of the CCCA, Dr Donald Anderson and others from the Canadian Council of Churches explained how they felt Canada should follow what was then a tradition in Germany: the Kirchentag and the Katholigentag, periodical assemblies of Christians studying, reflecting and praying on a particular theme. The CCC suggested that Ottawa should be the site for the first such venture and that here in Canada the festival would include all Christian Churches and especially Roman Catholics. A special body was formed and incorporated, The Ottawa Festival Organizing Committee. The theme selected was ‘Together in Hope.’ A wonderful theme song was created by the now Bishop Paul-André Desrochers [Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Sault-Ste-Marie in September 1997, appointed Archbishop of Gatineau on 12 October 2011]. The Festival was held at Lansdowne Park, May 20 to 24, 1982. One of the several outstanding guests was Jean Vanier.

A few statistics are of note: there were 3400 pre-registered; 9000 weekend passes were sold, 1200 Friday passes, 1700 Saturday and 800 Monday passes were sold. In addition some 9000 children attended. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa was very instrumental in making the Festival a success; Archbishop Plourde championed the idea both at the Ontario Conference of Bishops and at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Indeed, Hans Daiglerer was seconded from the CCCB for many months to lead the organizing work. Also the Archbishop used his 1982 Lenten Message to urge the Diocesan people to participate. He wrote, ‘The time has come to display how proud we are to belong to the Father’s great family, assembled and redeemed by his Son Jesus and enlightened by His Spirit.’

Chaplaincy has been the area of ministry that has been easiest to make ecumenical. Most of the area hospitals have developped some sort of ecumenical chaplaincy. The model of ecumenical advisory committee with a regular chaplaincy department is the most common, although this may soon change with the advent of hospital amalgamation. The CCCA was specifically instrumental in establishing the chaplaincy department at the Civic Hospital. This happened in 1980.

It is interesting to note that ecumenical chaplaincy in hospitals has changed the style and content of this ministry through the introduction of standards and professional training exigencies. The idea of the Canadian Association for Pastoral Training, or CAPE as it is known, began in 1951–52 but its more formal establishment was in 1963 and Roman Catholics were involved at that point.

The universities have also a history of ecumenical chaplaincy. Perhaps the Carleton University experience has been the most interesting. Much was accomplished during the chaplaincy of the Dominican Father Michael Grant-Peterkin in the 1980s and ’90s.

Another more novel situation has to do with high school chaplaincy. The suggestion was first raised at the CCCA by Isobel McGregor in 1981. In 1983 the Carleton Public School Board agreed to allow what is known as Pastoral Care in Secondary Schools to operate in a non-proselyting fashion in schools under agreement with the local principal. Volunteer chaplains from all denominations have worked in this program.

Another area where ecumenical chaplaincy is at work is in rent-to-income communities. A good example is the West End Chaplaincy, which offers spiritual support to people living in low-income neighbourhoods in West End Ottawa. Sixteen churches support this endeavour. The Roman Catholic Sue Evans and the Baptist, Robert Campbell, are co-chaplains of the project.

The CCCA has had a long standing interest in communications. During the ’70s a quarterly newsletter was regularly sent to some 500 various congregations throughout the capital area. This was due to outstanding work by Jurgen Kuhen of the Mennonite Church. In 1977 the Council published a ‘Directory of Worshop,’ covering all churches in the capital area. It remains a valuable reference manual.

In 1981 the Anglican and United Churches sponsored a local segment to a nationally produced radio program aired by CFMO. Soon the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa joined as a sponsor and Sister Anne McLaughlen became the host of Simply Sunday, which began as a radio program standing on its own. The CCCA became the sponsor during the last years. The program ended in 1987.

Again, in April 1981 the CCCA commissioned Grant Maxwell to review printed media coverage of ecumenism. This led to a meeting between a CCCA committee and the editorial board of the Ottawa Citizen on May 5, 1981.

In 1988 the World Council of Churches launched the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women in the Church and in the World. This mouthful has been shortened to Ecudecade. Both the CCCA and the Women’s Interchurch Council have worked to make the decade meaningful. Special events marked the beginning at the Mennonite Church on October 23, 1988 and at midpoint a major panel discussion was held at Christ Church Cathedral Hall on January 27, 1993. Members of the panel were three great ecumenists, Prof. Elizabeth Lacelle, Linda Bell, the then Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and Adèle Francis, a media person. The Ecudecade Committee has continued to work on the theme.

The Inter-Church Committee on Christian Education, known as ICCE, exists to provide training in an ecumenical setting for church-school staff and Christian educators. ICCE began in 1971 when the Christian Education Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Ottawa invited Anglicans and United Church teachers to attend their workshops. In 1977 the CCCA established a link with ICCE. In the same year, the Roman Catholic Church joined. There are now nine denominations involved in this venture, which seems unique in Canada.

A great deal of ecumenical activity has had an underlying idea of evangelization present; a few items should be mentioned. The gathering called by Archbishop Plourde on September 13, 1989, ‘Partners in Evangelization’ as the event was termed, consisted in a panel presentation and discussion. Panelists were John Baycroft, Brendan Obrien, Jon Keakley, Tom Sherwood and Major Len Goddard. Unfortunately there was little follow-up to this venture.

Another item has to do with the story of the CCCA involvement with the Central Canada Exhibition at Lansdowne Park. During the period 1974–78 the CCCA organized an annual prayer service on the first Sunday of the Exhibition. Out of this came another venture, a site on the grounds sponsored by the Council. This was known as Oasis and continued in existence during the period 1978–81. The actual outreach impact of these ventures was modest but they did afford opportunities for Christians of all denominations to work together and to experience their fundamental unity.

The CCCA has been an instrument for bringing to the attention of government the views of member churches. In 1976 the Ontario Commission on the Reform of Property Taxation, chaired by Willis L. Blair, was in Ottawa seeking briefs from interested parties. The possibility of church buildings being taxed was very real. The CCCA presented a brief and afterwards Commissioner Blair congratulated the Council and noted, ‘This is the first city where the churches have been able to present a common position.’ (By the way, the CCCA’s position was vindicated. However, such success was not the Council’s lot when a brief was presented in 1990 regarding Sunday shopping and another in 1995 regarding widespread distribution of gambling machines.)

With regard to affordable housing, two endeavours stand out. Centertown churches came together in 1981 to form an Association known as Daybreak. Abbé Jacques Faucher played a major part in the establishment and success of this organization. It currently operates 5 houses and serves 41 clients. The project is supported by 15 parishes. Also the CCCA is represented on the coalition known as Our Homes Chez Nous, currently trying to protect the existence of social housing.

Attention to social matters has always been on the agenda of the CCCA. A constant has been a relationship with the Social Planning Council of Ottawa-Carleton. This was enhanced when I [Msgr Schonenbach] was at the same time President of the CCCA and President of the SPC. That was in the 1980s.

Several examples of social involvement should be mentioned. In 1986 a petition co-sponsored by the SPC and the CCCA was signed by all denominational leaders and was instrumental in having the Regional Government re-instate emergency assistance to social-assistance clients in need. Also in 1985 and again in 1987, the CCCA published an extensive ‘Social Action Register,’ which became a well used instrument in many parishes. Also in 1987 the CCCA gave affiliation to a very longstanding ecumenical social-action work, the Union Mission for Men, established in 1906 and now known as The Mission.

In more recent times, as a result of the drastic economic changes in our province, a new ecumenical body has emerged with support and encouragement of the CCCA, the Faith Partners. This group is organized in three committees: the vigil group, which oversees the weekly silent vigil against social assistance cuts, held at the Human Rights monument on Elgin Street; the education committee and the advocacy committee. This latter group has taken issue with workfare and downloading. The Faith Partners are producing great links between denominations and faith groups.

Immigration has been a subject for much ecumenical cooperation. In January 1968 the Ottawa Inter-Faith Committee on Immigration was established with support from several denominations. Father Bill de Witte of the Catholic Immigration Service was part of the founding group. Its initial purpose was to promote early visitation of immigrants. This committee lasted until the early 1980s, when a great deal of the committee’s work was taken over by the Ottawa-Carleton Immigration Service. However, the CCCA has continued its interest in the subject. A very successful day with Mary Jo Leddy on the topic of Refugees and Immigrants was held on January 29, 1995.

Following the lead given by the World Council of Churches, the CCCA organized on November 3–4, 1990, a symposium on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. This was held at Ridgemont High School. As a follow-up to the symposium, the Council established a standing committee on the subject. Also support has been given to another environmental venture known as ICE, the Interfaith Celebration of the Environment. ICE began in 1992.

Training clergy and laity is something that has been done ecumenically for many years in our community. In 1983 the Pastoral Care Training Program began. One of the key figures at the beginning was John Swift, the Coordinating Chaplain at Queensway-Carleton Hospital. The program is a ten-week, once a week, series providing listening skills, information about the dynamic of visitation and all other aspects of pastoral ministry. The program is affiliated with the CCCA and is administered by an advisory committee.

From 1976 to 1978 the CCCA conducted several theological workshops for local clergy. The title of the series was ‘In search of a common mind.’ However, the major ecumenical endeavour in the realm of study is the Ottawa Lay School of Theology that began operation in 1963. It operates out of Dominion-Chalmers United Church and is administered by an ecumenical board that includes a member appointed by the CCCA. [The school is now called the Ottawa School of Theology & Spirituality. The CCCA is no longer represented on its board.]

Since 1995 the CCCA has been working to establish an Interfaith Network. A beginning of a core group interested in pursuing this idea met on April 27 of the current year [1997] at the Hindu Temple on Bank Street.

One new venture of the CCCA was a retreat for Denominational Leaders. This took place at Temple Pastures in Quebec on October 1–2, 1995, and lasted from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Most of the denominational leaders attended and it was considered very successful.

The CCCA now has its own web page [hosted at the time by the Mennonite Church of Ottawa].

– Extracts from a paper entitled ‘Ecumenism and Interfaith Endeavours’ presented by Msgr Peter Schonenbach, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica Notre-Dame, Ottawa, and Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, at a Conference of the Canadian Catholic Historical Association, St Paul University, Ottawa, 25–27 September 1997.