North America

Region

CBF Region North America

 

The Region includes Canada and the United States. Approximately one-third of the Canadian population is Catholic as is one quarter of the U.S. population. French and English are the principal languages in Canada and English and Spanish are the principal languages in the United States. However, both nations require resources in many other languages due to the multicultural populations.

The CBF is not well known in the subregion and has been mostly inactive in recent years. While the region is blessed with substantial resources for biblical pastoral ministry (including scholars, publications, formation opportunities, etc.), funding for these efforts and outreach remains difficult. Most dioceses do not have a biblical department. Neither the US nor the Canadian episcopal conference has a dedicated Bible Department.

In addition, though the percentage of the subregional population that is Catholic remains high, the degree of religious affiliation continues to diminish as weekly Mass attendance rates remain low and an increasing number of (especially) young people self-identify as spiritual, but not religious. In this environment, it is challenging for biblical pastoral agencies to reach Catholics and others in an effective way.

Coordinator

Fr. Manuel Villalobos Mendoza CMF

CBF North America Coordinator
Chicago (USA)

north-america@c-b-f.org

Updates from North America

Towards the CBF 10th Plenary Assembly: Catholic Biblical Federation in North America
20 Oct 2021

On the way towards the CBF Plenary Assembly we've presented the reality and future perspectives of the North America Region in the interventions of some representatives of the institutions that compose it.

Friends' of the Catholic Biblical Federation inaugural event
18 Mar 2018

On Sunday, 18 March 2018, the Friends of the Catholic Biblical Federation held its inaugural event at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Rowland Heights, California.

USCCB announces national bible week to promote biblical ministry in the US
30 Sep 2015

From November 15–21, 2015, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops invites families, parishes, schools, and other Catholic groups to participate in a National Bible Week in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum.