News releases from Development and Peace/Caritas Canada and CNEWA Canada
[MONTREAL, Jan. 31, 2022] – Development and Peace / Caritas Canada recently announced the appointment of Carl Hétu as the Catholic organization’s new executive director. Hétu was picked from a field of strong candidates and appointed unanimously by the national council for a five-year term beginning Feb. 14, 2022.
Hétu brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Since 2004, he has been the Canadian director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), which supports Catholic charities in the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and India.
Hétu helped reorganize CNEWA’s headquarter operations and shifted its focus to longer-term programs. He rallied continual support from Canadians for the organization’s causes and philanthropic priorities. He also travelled extensively in Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Russia, Ukraine and India and regularly commented in the media and public forums on issues affecting these countries.
From 1990 to 2004, Hétu worked at Development and Peace as an animator serving various regions in Ontario. In that role, he recruited, trained, coordinated, mobilized and inspired diocesan members and cultivated relationships with clergy across the province. He also led members on a solidarity trip to Peru and represented Development and Peace on a fact-finding mission to Colombia.
Over the years, Hétu has acquired an intimate understanding not only of the complex, interconnected issues of poverty, inequity, war and vulnerability to disasters in the Global South but also of the role that international solidarity and grassroots action can play in empowering marginalized communities.
“Welcome back, Carl. We’re elated at the thought of working by your side again,” said Brenda Arakaza, president of Development and Peace. “We know your deep commitment to justice and solidarity and are confident in what lies ahead. We can be sure of leaving a positive, long-lasting impact, both materially and spiritually, on people around the world and in Canada.”
Echoing her sentiments, Hétu said, “Like thousands of our members and donors, I believe in Development and Peace’s mission. We stand united, as one human family, inspired by the Gospel and guided by Pope Francis to accompany the most vulnerable and mistreated persons at the peripheries of our planet. We won’t rest until dignity and peace are afforded to all.”
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About Development and Peace
Development and Peace / Caritas Canada is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. It works in partnership with local organizations in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Middle East to create greater justice in the world and to act in solidarity with the most vulnerable people. For more information see: www.devp.org
CNEWA Canada bids farewell to Carl Hétu after 18 years
[OTTAWA – Jan. 31, 2022] — The founding director of Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) in Canada, Carl Hétu, ends his term Feb. 11, 2022, after 18 years at the helm.
Recruited by CNEWA in February 2004 to assist in establishing an office in Canada, Carl helped to grow the organization and lead a passionate and devoted team of employees to help generous Canadian donors build bridges with the historical churches of the East, from Ukraine, Ethiopia and India to the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and Egypt, by providing them financial support and ongoing prayers.
“Although we’re sad to see Carl go, we are most grateful for his accomplishments with CNEWA and establishing a solid foundation going forward,” said the Most Rev. Marcel Damphousse, Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall, and president of CNEWA’s board of directors in Canada. “We find great joy in seeing the fruits of this adventure and know the future is bright for CNEWA’s mission of supporting the churches of the East and helping to raise awareness for the diversity and role of the church in these turbulent regions. Mission accomplished, Carl. Thank you! Shoukran. Dyakuyu.”
During his tenure, Hétu made more than 30 mission trips including Gaza, Lebanon and Ethiopia, helped generous Canadians donate more than $50 million to support the work of the Eastern churches and, most importantly, to pray and work for peace among peoples.
“Though it wasn’t easy, these past 18 years have felt like a riveting dream,” said Hétu. “Though we can be a shy and discrete people, I have always been deeply touched by the great love of Canadians for Christ and their fellow persons. Canadians feel great empathy and kinship toward Christians who are too often mistreated or persecuted — and rightfully they should. It was an honour for me to help direct their love to so many persons and groups in need. I am eternally grateful for having been entrusted to contribute to CNEWA’s expansion and mission.”
Hétu will now devote his time and attention to the work of Development and Peace / Caritas Canada, as its new executive director. He will begin on Feb. 14. From 1990 to 2004 Carl also worked at Development and Peace as a regional animator.
About CNEWA
An agency of the Holy See, CNEWA works for, through and with the Eastern churches throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe, providing pastoral and humanitarian support. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA was incorporated in Canada as a registered charity by Canada Revenue Agency in 2003. For more information, visit cnewa.ca.
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Media interviews and information:
Laurence Sauvé
Torchia Communications
(514) 984-4122