Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP or simply Development and Peace) was set up by the bishops of Canada in 1967, following the Second Vatican Council, with a dual mandate: to fund development projects in the Third World, and to make Canadians aware of the problems facing people in the developing countries. In Saskatchewan, CCODP took root at the parish level from the very beginning, with key priests and lay people promoting the organization's work and encouraging support for both fund raising and Education campaigns. The first full-time provincial animator was hired in 1976 to build committees at the diocesan level and to increase links with other like-minded organizations in the province.

Today CCODP remains strong in Saskatchewan, with diocesan councils in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon. A network of lay volunteers across the province carries out two annual campaigns: Share Lent (February to April) and the Fall Campaign (September to December). In addition, CCODP regularly arranges exposure tours for its activists to travel to countries in which there are Development and Peace partners (e.g., Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador), and brings to Saskatchewan spokespersons from the overseas partner organizations.

Michael Murphy, Susan Eaton