Carl Hétu, who joined CNEWA in February 2004 as its first national director for CNEWA in Canada, died on 26 May after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 66 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that I received the news of Carl’s passing,” said Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall and chair of CNEWA Canada in a statement.
“Carl was truly a leader and man whose faith was put into action. Please join me in praying for the repose of his soul, and for comfort and strength for his family, friends and all who mourn him.”
In a letter to Dr. Adriana Bara, who succeeded Mr. Hétu as national director in August 2022, CNEWA President Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari wrote, “Carl will be remembered with deep gratitude and affection.
“Carl was a man of great integrity, mission and commitment to the social justice doctrine of the church” who “made a great impression on all CNEWA staff, in whatever office, during his visits. He played an important role in establishing the presence of CNEWA in Canada and in his representation to the bishops of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“Please accept my heartfelt sympathy, and prayers … [and] know that his wife, Lorraine, children, family and all who have worked and continue to work in CNEWA’s Ottawa office are in my prayers, especially at Mass.”
When concluding his 18 years of service to CNEWA in February 2022 to become the executive director of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, the charitable organization of the Canadian Catholic bishops, Mr. Hétu noted that “these past 18 years have felt like a riveting dream.
“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 honor 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.”
The Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J., archbishop emeritus of Ottawa, commented how it “was a privilege for me to work with Carl Hétu from the time of my arrival as archbishop of Ottawa in 2007 until my retirement in 2020. His passion for the church’s mission and love for the people of the Holy Land in need — without distinction of creed — came from his deep faith and love of God and neighbor. I pray the Lord rewards this faithful servant of his with eternal life and grants his loved ones and all who grieve his passing consolation and peace.”
“Carl was an extraordinary servant of the church and a true disciple of Christ,” said Dr. Bara, and “had the blessing of succeeding him as director after he, together with the bishops of Canada, founded CNEWA’s Canada office and helped this mission grow in such a beautiful and meaningful way.
“I will miss Carl deeply, his wise advice, his generous heart, and his kind friendship. May the Lord welcome Carl in his kingdom, and may he comfort his family, friends and all who loved him.”