Dennis Savoie is a former Canada ambassador to the Holy See.[1] He previously served as Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus from 2006–2013.[2] In 1995, he was elected a Supreme Director, and became Assistant Supreme Treasurer and assistant to the Supreme Knight for Canadian affairs in 2004, and then Supreme Treasurer in 2006.
Dennis Savoie | |
|---|---|
| Ambassador of Canada to the Holy See | |
| In office 2014–2024 | |
| Preceded by | Anne Leahy |
| Succeeded by | Joyce Napier |
| Deputy Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus | |
| In office October 2006 – 2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Logan Ludwig |
| Supreme Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus | |
| In office April 2006 – October 2006 | |
| Assistant Supreme Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus | |
| In office 2004–2006 | |
| Supreme Director of the Knights of Columbus | |
| In office 1995–2004 | |
| State Deputy of New Brunswick | |
| In office 1992–1994 | |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality |  Canada |
| Spouse | Claudette Surette |
| Children | Marc and Brigitte |
Early career
editMr. Savoie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick in 1968, where he majored in sociology.[1] He also studied business there at the graduate level.
He went on to a successful career with the New Brunswick Electric Power Corp., where he worked for 27 years before retiring as a vice president in 1996. From 2000 to 2004, he served as executive director of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes.[3]
For three years, Mr. Savoie served on the Federal Advisory Committee on Judicial Appointments for New Brunswick.[citation needed] He also serves on the board of directors for the Catholic Organization for Life and Family co-sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights of Columbus.[4] He held positions of several New Brunswick school boards and served on the boards of governors of Université de Moncton and St. Thomas University.[1]
Knights of Columbus
editMr. Savoie joined the Knights of Columbus in 1973[5] at Msgr. Solyme Azzie Council 2331 in Grand Falls, N.B., rising to the office of grand knight, a position he also held at Père Levasseur Council 5619 in Tracadie. He was charter grand knight of Sainte-Anne-des-Pays-Bas Council 8409 in Fredericton. He is a Fourth Degree member of Père Levasseur Assembly in Tracadie.
Savoie was the New Brunswick State Deputy from 1992 to 1994.[5] In 1995, he was elected a supreme director, and became assistant supreme treasurer and assistant to the supreme knight for Canadian affairs in 2004, and then supreme treasurer in 2006.[5] He was elected deputy supreme knight and assistant to the supreme knight for Canadian affairs in October 2006,[5] positions he held until December 2013.[6]
Ambassador to the Holy See
editOn February 11, 2013, the day Pope Benedict resigned, Savoie was first approached about becoming ambassador.[6] He turned down the appointment, saying his work with the Knights was too important.[6] He was approached again in the spring of 2014, shortly after he resigned from the Knights and returned to New Brunswick.[6]
On August 1, 2014 he was appointed as ambassador[1] and Savoie presented his credentials to Pope Francis on December 15, 2013.[6] The new ambassador gave the pope a five-volume history of Notre-Dame de Quebec as a gift after a private conversation.[6] The ceremony whereby he presented his credentials was part of a solemn and formal day.[6]
Personal life
editSavoie has a wife, Claudette, and two children, Marc and Brigitte.[6] He has five grandchildren.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Gyapong, Deborah (August 5, 2014). "Dennis Savoie appointed Canada's Holy See Ambassador". The Catholic Register. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Archdiocese of Vancouver: Diocesan Offices Overview". Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ "Deputy Supreme Knight - Knights of Columbus". www.kofc.org.
- ^ "Canadian Catholic News: Canadian March for Life focuses on human rights, use of abortion for sex selection - International - Catholic Online". Archived from the original on 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2010-07-10.
- ^ a b c d Gosgnach, Tony (August 30, 2007). "Q and A with: Dennis Savoie". The Interim. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gyapong, Deborah (February 27, 2015). "Ambassador settles in to new role in Rome". The B.C. Catholic. Archived from the original on 2016-11-16. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ^ "Ambassador of Canada to the Holy See". Canadian Government. November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2016.