Emmett Mathias Joseph Johns CM GOQ (April 3, 1928 – January 13, 2018), was a Canadian priest and humanitarian. He was the founder of Dans la Rue (originally known as Le Bon Dieu Dans La Rue), a homeless shelter and support group for street youth in Montreal, Quebec.
The Reverend Emmett Johns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 3, 1928 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | January 13, 2018 (aged 89) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Other names | Pops |
| Occupation(s) | Catholic priest, Humanitarian |
| Years active | 1988–2016 |
| Known for | Dans la Rue |
| Ecclesiastical career | |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
Congregations served | Saint John Fischer Parish, Pointe-Claire Our Lady of Fatima, Saint-Laurent |
Life and career
editEmmett Johns, who was of Irish descent, was born on April 3, 1928 in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood of Montreal.[1][2]
He graduated with a BA from Loyola College in 1974.[3]
He served as a Catholic priest and vicar at Saint John Fischer Parish in Pointe-Claire, Our Lady of Fatima in Saint-Laurent as well as a pastor at Bishop Whelan High School in Lachine and as a hospital chaplain.[4][better source needed]
In December 1988, Johns founded Le Bon Dieu Dans la Rue. With a $10,000 loan, he purchased a used motorhome and took to the streets at night, distributing food and basic goods to street youth, and giving them a place to warm up.[citation needed]
Over time, the organization grew to include both a night shelter in 1993 and day centre in 1997, always based on the "help without judgement" philosophy of its founder.[citation needed]
Its name was eventually changed to Dans La Rue, to avoid a religious connotation, and continued to offer food, shelter and friendship to homeless youths, as well as the resources and services required to help them get off the street.[citation needed]
In 2005, he was a member of the Quebec delegation which attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II.[5]
In 2016, Johns retired from active involvement in Dans la Rue due to Parkinson's disease.[6]
Death
editHe died peacefully in a retirement home in Montreal on January 13, 2018, aged 89.[7]
Recognition and honours
editJohns received many honours and awards for his work, including:[2]
1997
- Honorary Doctorate Degree – Concordia University
- 12th Honor Roll of Excellence – Maclean's magazine
1998
- Humanitarian Award – The Association of Quebec Psychiatrists
- Anne Greenup Citizenship Award
1999
- Award of excellence – Montreal Urban Police
- Annual Desjardins Prize
- Member to the Order of Canada
2000
- Communications & Leadership Award from Toastmasters International
2001
- The Rights and Freedoms Prize – Commission des Droits de la personne et des droits à la jeunesse
2002
- Golden Jubilee Medal – Canadian Governors General
- Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award – United Irish Societies of Montreal
- Bishop Crowley Award – English Catholic Council
- Great Montrealer – The Academy of Great Montrealers
2003
- Honorary Doctorate Honoris Causea – McGill University
- Recipient – Medal of the University of Montreal
- Grand Officer – National Order of Quebec[8]
- Honorary certificate – HEC Montreal / Commerce Magazine
- Prix de la Santé et du Bien-être social – Ordre des psychologues du Québec
- Honorary Doctorate Degree – Université du Québec à Montréal
2004
- Recipient – Reader's Digest Hero of the Year award
- Carrier of the Olympic Flame
2005
- Honorary Doctorate Honoris Causa – Saint Paul University
2006
- Documentary film on Pop's life called Notre Père launched
- Certificate Honorary Member – Canadian Pediatric Society
2008
- Biography published “Appelez-moi Pops”
- Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award
2009
- Montrealer closest to sainthood – Montreal Mirror ”Best of Montreal readers’ poll”
- Most trusted public personality – Magazine Sélection Reader's Digest
2010
- Montrealer closest to sainthood – Montreal Mirror ”Best of Montreal readers’ poll”
2011
- Recipient : Contribution to Humanity Award – Montreal Intercultural Dialogue institute
- Special concert in his honor by the MSO
- Montrealer closest to sainthood – Montreal Mirror ”Best of Montreal readers’ poll”
- Recipient : Prix de la tolérance Paul Gérin-Lajoie – Fondation de la tolérance Paul Gérin-Lajoie
2012
- Recipient : Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
2013
- Honorary Member – Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec
2016
- Commander – Ordre de Montréal
References
edit- ^ Ce Montréalais, d'origine irlandaise, a grandit sur le Plateau Mont-Royal on YouTube 0:07 (In French)
- ^ a b "Father Emmett Johns "Pops" – Organization helping homeless and at-risk youth in Montreal – dans la rue".
- ^ "Father Emmett Johns". concordia.ca. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
- ^ Décès de Emmett Johns, alias Père Pops on YouTube (In French)
- ^ "Charest leads delegation to Rome". CBC News. April 6, 2005.
- ^ "Legacy of Father "Pops" lives on at Dans La Rue". Montreal Gazette. March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
- ^ "Father Emmett Johns, dubbed "Pops" by street kids he cared for, dies at 89". montrealgazette.com. January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Répertoire des membres de l'Ordre national du Québec". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2011.