We are saddened to learn that Fr. Eddie Cormier passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday night/early Tuesday morning April 12.
Fr. Eddie served his communities faithfully as a priest for almost 54 years both here on Prince Edward Island and as a missionary in the Dominican Republic for the Latin American Mission Program.
On the occasion of his 50th Anniversary of ordination to the priesthood Catherine Paquette wrote a wonderful profile that was published in La Voix Acadienne June 18, 2018. Here is a selection from that article:
His face and his great words are well known in the Acadian community, francophone, and even the English-speaking community of the Island. He has worked with countless organizations, always putting social justice ahead and never afraid to speak out on a social issue. Yes, it is Father Eddie Cormier, who celebrated on June 1, 2018 his 50 years of service with the Church, but especially with the poor.
Born from the union of Glorice Cormier and Julitte Bernard in 1941, Eddie Cormier grew up on a small farm and went to school in Saint-Philippe. When he was 15, he left the Island to study in Chicoutimi, Quebec, in Classical Studies, thanks to a scholarship offered by the Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin, before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology of Laval University at the major seminary in Halifax. At age 27, he made his debut at Summerside in St. Paul’s Parish.
Father Cormier preached the Gospel at the altars of Tignish, Wellington, Egmont Bay, Palmer Road, Mount Carmel, and many others. As pastor, he was responsible for the management of the parishes, but also for setting up committees to “support families in the event of an emergency, an illness or a fire for example, and for the teaching the gospel, “he says.
The most cherished word in Father Eddie’s eyes is that of the great master of the Liberation Theology, Gustavo Gutiérrez, the one who presented the need to free the poor countries from their dependence on the richest. These inequalities are at the root of social evil, taught the Peruvian priest.
“Gutiérrez applies the gospel to today’s life,” says Father Eddie. “Sometimes the gospel is presented as a reward after death. But salvation is not only after death, it is today, it is for peace, it is for love between humans. It involves the way we live together, it’s social.
In an interview with La Voix Acadienne, Father Eddie insists. “Blessed are the poor,” said Christ. We believe that success is wealth, that money is a social value, while Christian teaching is not that. […] In our society, we often judge the poor as being responsible for poverty, while they are really victims. ”
“The word of Christ did not describe much heaven. Jesus said we would be with him. I see paradise more as a state of mind. Like a state of pure happiness and joy.”
Fr. Eddie Cormier 1941-2022
Latin America as a compass
This sense of urgency towards the poorest came to him through his readings, but also after a mission to the Dominican Republic with the Latin American Mission Program (LAMP) of the Diocese of Charlottetown in the 1980s. This project marked him for life.
“We went there to learn from the poor, in support and solidarity. And the poor told us: go to your place and work to build a more just society, “he explains calmly.
Although he had to return to Canada after only two years to treat a tumor that had settled in his right leg, the priest was guided by these words. In spite of his artificial leg and the phantom pains that assail him, Father Eddie has always maintained the course on his project of a better society. “I’m not as fast as before, but I’ve participated quite a bit,” he said modestly. Now I am limited, but what I can give, I do it. ”
Now retired, he is involved with the Cooper Institute, a center for research and popular education on poverty, justice and social inclusion. Father Eddie is also President of the Acadian Museum of PEI. “You have to look at our lives in depth, not in a superficial way. That’s why I’m interested in Acadian history. Let’s say that it is to help young people to connect, to situate themselves, to identify with who they are “. Father Eddie was also President of SSTA for two terms in the 1980s and 2000s.
When he is not working on poverty reduction and promoting Acadian culture on the Island, Father Eddie is in the South, in the Dominican Republic during the winter months. He speaks Spanish and Latin and says Mass every Sunday to about forty people in a “barrio”, a neighborhood near Puerto Plata.
Named Acadian of the Year in 2004 at the Agricultural Exhibition and the Acadian Festival of the Evangeline Region for his community involvement is not a priest like the others. He made community life and even politics a mission, determined to change things. “I see it as a call of the gospel, to build a more just world, it is a way to improve the situation, the community, our Island society, where I am. So I give a little my share.
In conversation with La Voix acadienne, he answered our question: What does paradise look like, Father Eddie?
“The word of Christ did not describe much heaven. Jesus said we would be with him. I see paradise more as a state of mind. Like a state of pure happiness and joy.”
May Fr. Eddie enter and remain in that Happiness and Joy forever.
Funeral for Fr. Eddie Cormier will be Tuesday, April 19 at 2 PM in Mont Carmel Church.