Letter from the President of the CCCB: Death of Mr. Carl Hétu, Executive Director of Development and Peace — Caritas Canada
La Pocatière, May 27, 2026
To the family of Carl Hétu,
To the members of the DPCC movement,
To the employees and management team,
To the members of the National Council.
Peace be with you!
It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Carl Hétu on May 27, 2026. At this difficult time, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
I am also thinking of the members of the Development and Peace-Caritas Canada (DPCC) movement, the staff, the management team, and the members of the National Council, all of whom are deeply saddened by the departure of Carl Hétu, who served as Executive Director. Carl knew how to mobilize us to deepen our international solidarity with our brothers and sisters struggling against poverty and with our partners working on various projects in the Global South. As Pope Leo reminds us: “Love for the poor is the evangelical hallmark of a Church faithful to the heart of God.” (Dilexi Te, no. 103) We have learned much from the love for the impoverished and the concern for social justice that animated Carl in his commitments. We can be grateful for this legacy of the heart that he leaves us.
The Gospel of Saint John states: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24). Carl bore much fruit. We appreciated his warm welcome, his willingness to listen, his humanity, his faith in God, his convictions rooted in the Gospel, his sense of international solidarity, and his synodal leadership. Inspired by his quality of being and the richness of his heart, we are invited to continue the journey, walking together in the mission entrusted to us by the Lord. Finally, we know that there are bonds of friendship and affection that unite us to Carl, bonds stronger than death. May the Lord welcome Carl and share with him the joy of the resurrection. May he be a source of comfort and hope for each and every one of us.
Please be assured of my prayers.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Pierre Goudreault
Bishop of the Diocese of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière
Member of Development and Peace-Caritas Canada
President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops