Canadian priest and humanitarian (1928–2018)
Emmett Mathias Joseph Johns CM GOQ Dans la Rue (originally known as Le Bon Dieu Dans La Rue ), a homeless shelter and support group for street youth in Montreal , Quebec .
Life and career
Emmett 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
He died peacefully in a retirement home in Montreal on January 13, 2018, aged 89.[ 7]
Recognition and honours
Johns received many honours and awards for his work, including:[ 2]
1997
1998
Humanitarian Award – The Association of Quebec Psychiatrists
Anne Greenup Citizenship Award1999
Award of excellence – Montreal Urban Police
Annual Desjardins Prize
Member to the Order of Canada 2000
2001
The Rights and Freedoms Prize – Commission des Droits de la personne et des droits à la jeunesse 2002
Golden Jubilee Medal – Canadian Governors GeneralSimon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award – United Irish Societies of Montreal
Bishop Crowley Award – English Catholic Council
Great Montrealer – The Academy of Great Montrealers2003
2004
2005
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
2013
Honorary Member – Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec 2016
Commander – Ordre de Montréal
References
^ Ce Montréalais, d'origine irlandaise, a grandit sur le Plateau Mont-Royal 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 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 .
