MONTREAL, December 2, 2021 — Development and Peace — Caritas Canada is pleased to announce the election last week of its new national council.
The national council is Development and Peace’s primary decision-making body. Its members, all volunteers, serve a three-year term. Since a transition to a new governance model that began last year, the national council also includes four Canadian bishops.
The national council now comprises Brenda Arakaza (francophone youth representative), president; Christopher Duncanson-Hales (Ont.), vice-president; Tim Turner (Atlantic Canada), treasurer; the Most Rev. Pierre Goudreault (Que.), secretary; Simone Fournier (Que.), executive committee member; Danny Gillis (Atlantic Canada); the Most Rev. Peter Hundt (Atlantic Canada); Boris Polanski (Que.); Jason Noble (Que.), member-at-large; Frank Fohr (Ont.); the Most Rev. Guy Desrochers (Ont.); Nancy Stuart (Western Canada); Tashia Toupin (Western Canada); the Most Rev. Jon Hansen (Western Canada); and Reanne Laurie (anglophone youth representative).
Following her election, Arakaza said, “I am honoured and delighted to be the new president of the national council of Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada and to be part of such a committed council.” She added, “I cannot share my joy with you without thanking outgoing president, Evelyne Beaudoin; outgoing treasurer, Richard Pommainville; and outgoing council members, Bishop William McGrattan and Richard Beaucher for their tremendous work over the past years. Their leadership has helped us overcome the challenges of the past few years.”
Arakaza also thanked the outgoing national members, Francis Yehouenou, Gertrude Rompré, Ghislain Morin and Christine Bagdhady, for their dedication to Development and Peace’s mission.
“In our struggle for human dignity, the need for solidarity is greater today than ever,” Arakaza mused, adding, “As Pope Francis has emphasized, the work of Caritas has a social dimension and a spiritual dimension, that requires the gift of self. Solidarity and putting these two dimensions into action are at the heart of the national council.”
Expressing her confidence in the council, Arakaza said, “The unique expertise, talents and perspectives of the members of the executive committee will enable us to continue to support our partners in the Global South and to promote alternatives to unjust social, political and economic structures.” She concluded, “Pope Francis tells us that Pope Paul VI used to say to Caritas International members, ‘You are a living part of the Church; you are “our Caritas.”’ I believe that we, the members, the national council, the diocesan members, the youth members, the employees, the partners and the members of our networks are our Caritas!”
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, contact:
Minaz Kerawala
Communications and Public Relations Advisor
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE ― CARITAS CANADA
Tel.: 514 257-8710 ext. 328 | mkerawala@devp.org