“The survivors coming forward now have been holding on to this horrific experience all of their lives.”

The hotline, which would field allegations that bishops committed abuse or covered it up, would take complaints by telephone and through an online link. It’s supposed to be operating within a year.

Catholic bishops in Alberta and the Northwest Territories have issued a letter to church devotees to warn of what it says are growing calls to dismantle the Catholic school system.

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories have issued guidelines that say priests should refuse funerals for some people who have assisted suicide.

Conservative Catholic bishops concerned about an unprecedented opening to gays and divorcees are seeking to make their voices heard at a Vatican meeting on family life, emphasizing the benefits of faithful Catholics, the fundamentals of church doctrine and the dangers of sin.