A Catholic and longstanding member of the Archdiocese of Vancouver's finance council has just received the most prestigious award in the world of real estate counselling.

William McCarthy, a private real estate developer and consultant, was awarded the James D. Landauer / John R. White Award to recognize his extensive service to the Archdiocese of Vancouver as well as in the fields of real estate counselling, philanthropy, and support of causes close to him. (He has donated $21.4 million to the B.C. Cancer Foundation).

"Bill McCarthy has made an invaluable contribution to the Archdiocese of Vancouver for two decades by lending his real estate expertise and financial wisdom to the decision-making process on a wide range of files," said Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB.

McCarthy's projects include conceiving of a 50,000 square foot pastoral centre fully paid for by selling the old building at 150 Robson Street, "masterminding" the rebuilding and expanding of Notre Dame Secondary School, and being a member of the task force involved in redeveloping and seismically upgrading the century-old Holy Rosary Cathedral.

"I am immensely grateful to Bill McCarthy for his time, his generosity, his insight, and his proficiency, which he has given so freely to me and to the Archdiocese of Vancouver," said Archbishop Miller.

Francis Wong, recently retired Director of Finance, said the archdiocese "has been experiencing tremendous growth over the past 25 years, with over $400 million in building projects and real estate transactions of which Bill played a major role in decision-making."

McCarthy received the award at a ceremony in Charleston, South Carolina, Oct. 23.