Rolande Chernichan, National Chairperson of Faith, May 31, 2025
FOR: Provincial Presidents and Secretaries
CC: National Officers (for information), National Life Member Liaison
Dear sisters in the League,
Habemus papam! We have a pope! On May 8th , with great enthusiasm, joy and renewed hope, League members joined Catholics worldwide in giving thanks to God for the election of the new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. In his first address, Pope Leo was sensitive to the recent passing of Pope Francis, recalling “the faint yet ever courageous voice of Pope Francis as he blessed Rome” and the whole world on Easter morning. In extending Pope Francis’ blessing of peace, Pope Leo said, “We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always in peace.”
This is my final communiqué as national chairperson of faith. I thank the provincial chairpersons for their dedication to nurturing members’ spiritual lives through leadership, communication and spiritual programs. I’m grateful for the support during this shared journey of meetings and initiatives. My special thanks to those who have completed their term, and a warm welcome to the newly elected chairpersons—I look forward to meeting you.
Provincial chairpersons are encouraged to draw from the following information to communicate to councils and encourage member action.
Protection of the Charitable Status of Pro-Life Organizations: Chairpersons are urged to support and advance the advocacy against the federal Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) Recommendation 429, which would no longer provide charitable status to pro-life organizations. This advocacy would be in keeping with their role and responsibilities to “uphold the sanctity of life.” Chairpersons are requested to collaborate with their council’s chairperson of social justice in encouraging member action and directing them to source the national website for the urgent memo issued May 6th by National Chairperson of Social Justice Glenda Carson, with supporting documents, background information, and petition and letter-writing resources.
Protection of the Charitable Status of Religious Organizations: Chairpersons are urged to support and advance the advocacy against FINA’s Recommendation 430 to amend the Income Tax Act to provide a definition of charity which would remove the privileged status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose. The effects of Recommendation 430 would affect 40% of Canada’s registered charities and reduce contributions by as much as $16.5 billion from faith-based Canadian communities that support social justice initiatives. Chairpersons are requested to collaborate with their council’s chairperson of social justice to encourage member action and direct them to source the national website for the urgent memo and all its supporting documentation issued May 6th by National Chairperson of Social Justice Glenda Carson. Note that letter-writing and signing petitions on matters of faith and social justice are a form of faith in action. Through your letters and petitions, may the voice of Catholic women be heard by members of parliament and the newly elected federal government!
Rosary Webinar of Hope for Healing and Reconciliation (June 21st): Chairpersons are requested to remind members about the Rosary Webinar on National Indigenous Peoples Day and to register.
In concluding his first address, Pope Leo said, “We want to be a synodal church, a church that moves forward, a church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close above all to those who are suffering. …Let us pray together for this new mission, for the whole church, for peace in the world, and let us ask Mary, our Mother, for this special grace.” As disciples of Christ and as pilgrims of hope, may our response be with full and generous hearts in responding to the Holy Father’s call to a mission of peace and synodality.
Blessings,
Rolande Chernichan
National Chairperson of Faith