The country's Roman Catholic bishops have added their voices to the chorus asking the federal government to reverse a decision to scrap the mandatory long census form.

Industry Minister Tony Clement appears before the House of Commons industry committee looking into his plan to end the mandatory long-form census. (Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press) Bishop Pierre Morissette of Saint-Jerome, Que., head of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has written to Industry Minister Tony Clement urging him to change his mind.

The government has come under fire from opposition politicians, statisticians, charitable groups, social agencies, unions, medical associations and other organizations over the decision to make the long form voluntary.

Munir Sheikh, the head of Statistics Canada, resigned over the issue.

The bishop said data from the long form is important to religious groups.

"This is one of the only ways in which we, at the national, regional and diocesan levels, can gain knowledge of the demographics and identify the geographic areas where our services are required," he said in his letter.

Clement has said the mandatory long form is an unwarranted intrusion into people's privacy, but the bishop wasn't buying that.

"It is important to remember that the form is anonymous," Morissette wrote. "Furthermore, in order to build a more harmonious society, it is in our government's best interest to inquire into these areas.

"It seems reasonable to ask these questions so as to better meet the needs of Canadians. No aspect of Canadians' lifestyles should be neglected in the effort to strengthen our nation's identity."

He said he hopes Clement and the government will reconsider the move.