Former Apostolic Nuncio in Japan and Archbishop of the Titular See of Telde, Monsignor William Aquin Carew was born in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, on October 23, 1922, the only son in a group of four children born to William J. Carew CBE., KCSS., and Mary Channing.

Educated at St. Bonaventure's College from 1927 to 1940, and at St. Paul's Seminary of the University of Ottawa, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 15, 1947. Pursuing further studies at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome between 1950 and 1952, specializing in diplomacy, upon his return to St. John's, Father Carew was appointed secretary to Archbishop Patrick J. Skinner serving between 1952 and 1953.

Returning to Rome, he served as an official of the Vatican Secretariat of State from 1953 to 1969. He was bureau chief of the English language section from 1963 to 1969, and as such handled all Papal audiences by English-speaking heads of state and government.

Named Privy Chamberlain Supernumerary of His Holiness in 1955, and Domestic Prelate of His Holiness in 1964, Monsignor Carew accompanied Pope Paul VI on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January 1964, and on his visit to Uganda in 1969. He was a member of the Papal Mission to the tercentenary of the Canadian Hierarchy in Quebec in October 1959, and to the quadricentennial of the evangelisation of the Philippines in Cebu in April 1965.

At 47 years of age, Monsignor Carew was named Apostolic Nuncio in Rwanda and Burundi by Pope Paul VI, receiving his episcopal consecration with the Titular See of Telde on January 4, 1970, at St. Peter's Patriarchal Vatican Basilica from Cardinal lldebrando Antoniutti, whom he had served as personal secretary at the Apostolic Delegation in Ottawa from 1947 to 1950, assisted by Archbishops Giovanni Benelli and Sergio Pignedoli.

Archbishop Carew arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 28, 1970, and served as Nuncio in both republics for four and a half years. In April 1972, he was sent as extraordinary envoy of His Holiness on a special mission to Bangladesh.

On May 10, 1974, the Archbishop was named Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, including Israel and Jordan with residence in Jerusalem, as well as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Cyprus and Apostolic Visitor to Greece. While in these posts he served as Grand Chancellor of the University of Bethlehem, Ecclesiastical Superior of the Advanced Theological Studies at Tantur and of the House of Abraham Hospice in Jerusalem.

After nine and a half years as Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, Jordan and Israel, and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Cyprus, he was named Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Japan on August 30, 1983, by Pope John Paul II. Archbishop Carew arrived in Tokyo on November 18, of that year, presenting Credential Letters to Emperor Hirohito on November 30.

Retiring from office at 75 years of age on November 11, 1997, Archbishop Carew returned to his native Newfoundland. A great supporter and participant of the Annual Flatrock Penitential Pilgrimage he was the celebrant and homilist of the Pilgrimage Mass from its beginning.

Archbishop Carew died after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, aged 89, at St. Patrick's Mercy Home in St. John's, Newfoundland. Visitation was held at Caul's Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road, on Wednesday and Thursday from 2 pm. till 4 pm., and 7 pm. till 9 pm. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday May 11, at 3 pm., at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Interment followed at Belvedere Cemetery.