Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast completes mandate
Most Rev. Marcel Damphousse appointed president
Renewed terms for Cardinal Thomas Collins as director and vice president
Mr. Carl Hétu re-elected as national director
Ottawa, April 28, 2021 – At its 2020 annual meeting, held virtually, the board of CNEWA Canada ratified important changes to its membership. After serving some 17 years on its board and 14 years as its president from 2006 to 2020, CNEWA confirmed the resignation of Archbishop Terrence Prendergast. As his replacement, it has appointed Most Rev. Marcel Damphousse, Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall.
The mandate of Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto and vice president of the board was also renewed. The current Board of Directors also includes: Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak, Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec and Treasurer of the board, Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver and Most Rev. Peter Hundt, Archbishop of St. John’s.
“I’m honoured to be able to help guide and support the work of CNEWA here in Canada and especially on the ground across the Middle and Near East through the Eastern Churches and their partners,” said Damphousse. “I wish to thank Archbishop Prendergast for his devoted service and commitment to CNEWA. We wish him a healthy and fruitful retirement.”
The board also renewed the contract of Carl Hétu, national director of CNEWA Canada since its founding in Canada in 2004, for another three-year term.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to continue my work and I am very grateful for the generosity and trust that Canadians have shown towards CNEWA’s mission over the years,” said Hétu. Indeed, CNEWA Canada received over $45 million in donations over the past 16 years and just over $5 million in 2020.
Hétu continued, “I’ve come to realize just how important the Church and its various members and partners are to peace, development and the wellbeing of persons throughout these regions, but also in Canada and around the world. I’m committed to this cause and look forward to working with our team, board members, donors and partners to build a better world.”
About CNEWA
An agency of the Holy See, CNEWA works for, through and with the Eastern Catholic churches throughout the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, CNEWA provides pastoral and humanitarian support to the churches and people of the East. CNEWA Canada was incorporated as a registered charity by Canada Revenue Agency in 2003.
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