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Rev. Leo O'Brien, a retired priest of the Albany Diocese who serves as sacramental minister for St. Vincent de Paul parish in Albany, claims his six decades of ministry have been "nothing extraordinary."

The ecumenical Capital Area Council of Churches strongly disagrees.

Father O'Brien received the Rev. Carlyle Adams ecumenical/interfaith award at the CACC's fall assembly Sept. 17. The annual award is presented to someone who spreads the message of unity and inclusivity by being involved in ecumenical or interfaith efforts in the Capital Region.

Rev. Adams was the pastor of First Church in Rensselaer, religion editor for the Times Union newspaper and a head of the local reigning body of the Presbyterian Church. He was also an official observer for the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s and a good friend of Father O'Brien, making receiving this honor particularly special.

"The award and Dr. Adam's memory help us continue a very important unity between faith communities," Father O'Brien declared.

The priest was totally surprised at being chosen for the award. But throughout his nearly 60 years of ministry, Father O'Brien has participated in many interfaith efforts, particularly in Albany's Pine Hills area. He also encouraged and supported interfaith marriages and "pulpit exchanges," wherein faith leaders of different denominations preach at each other's churches for a weekend.

Even in retirement, Father O'Brien is learning Hebrew to build a closer relationship with his Jewish friends: "I last studied Hebrew 60 years ago in the seminary. I took lessons for two years. Now, I study weekly with another student."

Father O'Brien "knows the importance of engaging in religious diversity," said Deborah Riitano, executive director of the CACC. "He knows that it's important to bring different faith traditions together. If we don't bring these traditions together, we forfeit the opportunity to take down barriers and build a bridge."

The priest himself noted that "Jesus welcomed everybody;" he's just trying to do the same "by listening, meeting people and listening to other people's ideas."

Engaging in interfaith and ecumenical relations "can't help but strengthen" his own faith, Father O'Brien added: "It widens my conscious, widens my friendships and deepens my appreciation of God.

"We [now] ask questions we wouldn't have asked years ago," he continued. "'Don't talk religion or politics' -- that's how we grew up."

Learning Hebrew helps Father O'Brien with his prayer life as well, helping him to better connect with and understand the psalms.

"It brings me closer to the Jewish people," he added -- particularly those at the Avila retirement community in Albany, where he resides.

His friends, he said, are "honored and pleased" by the effort.

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