April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Cardinal: Ecumenism still strong
In an exclusive interview with The Evangelist via email, Cardinal Cassidy outlined an address he will give at The College of Saint Rose in Albany on March 29, titled, "The Commitment of the Catholic Church to Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue: Why I Am Optimistic."
A native of Australia, Cardinal Cassidy served until recently as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and is president of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews.
Q: What was your earliest experience with ecumenism? What caused you to become interested in this issue?
Cardinal Cassidy:
There was not a time when in some way I was not involved in relations with other churches. I was first baptized in the Anglican Church, and many of the Cassidy family are Presbyterian. I grew up in a neighborhood where Catholics, Anglican and Protestants lived side-by-side and in very friendly relations. I went to school where the majority of my classmates were not Catholic. Then, in my 33 years in the diplomatic service of the Holy See, I was in contact with other religions and Christian communities in Asia, Ireland, Latin America, Taiwan, South Africa and Holland.Q: What makes you optimistic about the future of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue?
Cardinal Cassidy:
My optimism is based on the progress already made in our various dialogues. During the Jubilee Year 2000, we had ample proof of that progress. In the 11 years that I have been in charge of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, I myself have experienced beyond any possible doubt the truth of Pope John Paul II's statement on ecumenical relations; namely, that what Christians have in common is much more than that which divides them.And above all, this is God's work. It is the Lord who calls us to these activities, and it is in His power that we find the most compelling motive for optimism.
Q: Do you believe that "Dominus Iesus," the controversial declaration on ecumenism issued last fall by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, hindered ecumenical dialogue?
Cardinal Cassidy:
"Dominus Iesus" did result in misunderstandings. The document was not presented accurately in many cases by the media and must be read in order that a balanced judgment can be made on its contents. In recent months, we had a number of opportunities of explaining the document to our partners and clarifying points that needed explanation.The document was not, however, directly concerned with ecumenical dialogue. The Catholic Church has at its disposal other documents that deal authoritatively with the commitment to ecumenism. There was certainly no intention on the part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to substitute a new document for those already existing in this field, but to recall some fundamental essential truths of Catholic doctrine.
Numerous leaders of other Christian churches and ecclesial communions have expressed their appreciation of the main thrust of "Dominus Iesus," agreeing with the Holy See that such clarity regarding the unique role of Jesus Christ in salvation needs to be stressed, especially at this time.
It is a pity that, in the polemical atmosphere which followed the publication of the declaration, this great consensus of Christian affirmation of our basic common understanding of the unique role of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the work of salvation was mostly overlooked by the media in general, and given little importance in subsequent discussions.
Q: You've just stepped down as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, with German Cardinal Walter Kasper taking your place. How do you plan to remain active in ecumenical dialogue?
Cardinal Cassidy:
For the coming months, I shall be fulfilling a number of lecture engagements that I already had on my agenda before my retirement. In fact, I shall have very little free time at my disposal until July. Then I hope to have a good holiday after many years of very active ministry in the Church, coming back for more lectures and conferences in October and the following months.After that, I shall see what is possible for me to do in order to continue to enjoy this great work within the Lord's family, while having more time for prayer and for my family in Australia, where I have two brothers and two sisters, and, despite the many years I have been away, many wonderful friends.
Q: You have dealt with ecumenism on a worldwide level. What can people do on a personal level to promote interreligious dialogue?
Cardinal Cassidy:
Pope John Paul II gives the first place in ecumenical endeavor to prayer: prayer in common, but also prayer by the individual. The search for unity among Christians is not our work, but the Lord's work. We rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For all this, prayer is vital. How often do the parishes in the Diocese of Albany include prayer for unity among the prayers of the faithful on Sunday?Local communities, with a little thought and goodwill, can find many ways of bringing into clearer relief the features of Christ, the servant for the needy of the society in which they live.
Q: Have you ever traveled to the U.S.? Do you know anyone in the Albany Diocese?
Cardinal Cassidy:
In the past year alone, I was in the United States on six separate occasions. One of my good friends from Albany is Rev. James Puglisi of the Friars of the Atonement, who is in charge of the Pro Unione Centre here in Rome, where he does a magnificent job.Q: Will this visit be your first experience with snow? How do you feel about it?
Cardinal Cassidy:
I do not expect that you will have more snow in Albany than I have encountered in Moscow on some of my visits there. In any case, a little snow will not surely take away from the warmth of the welcome that I feel sure will be mine from the Diocese and people of Albany. I am looking forward to this very much.(Cardinal Cassidy's talk, "The Commitment of the Catholic Church to Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue: Why I Am Optimistic," will be given March 29, 7 p.m., at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Admission is free. For information, call 454-5250 or email [email protected].)
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