At the annual meeting of CNEWA’s office in Canada on 28 April, the board of CNEWA Canada ratified important changes to its membership.
After serving some 17 years on the board of CNEWA Canada, 14 years as president, CNEWA Canada confirmed the resignation of Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J., who has retired as the archbishop of Ottawa. He is succeeded on the board by Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall. The mandate of Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto as vice president of the board was renewed.
The current Board of Directors also includes: Metropolitan Archbishop Lawrence Huculak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg; Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec and treasurer of the board; Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver; and Archbishop Peter Hundt of St. John’s.
“I’m honored 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 Archbishop 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 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.
“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,” Hétu continued. “I’m committed to this cause and look forward to working with our team, board members, donors and partners to build a better world.”