PROFILPELAJAR.COM

The Reverend
Emmett Johns
CM GOQ
The Reverend Emmett Johns CM GOQ
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

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.

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

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