Walking With Others: the Nostra Aetate Conference at CUA

By Father John Crossin

The Second Vatican Council’s document on interreligious relations—Nostra Aetate—was one of the last of the Council's documents to appear, one of the shortest, and one with incredible impact. The May 19-21 Symposium at The Catholic University of America will explore the past, present and future of interreligious dialogue.

Three distinguished Cardinals, two from Rome and one from New York, will keynote the Symposium. Cardinals Tauran, Dolan and Koch provide leadership in Catholic relationships with the Muslim and Jewish communities-- among others.

I believe that this is the kind of Symposium where one can gain a lifetime of learning from the distinguished speakers. And one can gain lots of practical knowledge by speaking to people at lunch or in the corridor or over a cup of coffee [all food will be kosher--halal].

There will be an initial offering on dialogue for the person who feels he or she knows nothing. But the key will be that the presenters—both scholars and church leaders—have the experience that allows them to summarize effortlessly, illustrate aptly, and project the future realistically.

In a time when interreligious relations appear in daily headlines in all media, this Symposium will offer constructive paths for the future. In 1965, Nostra Aetate offered a positive challenge to walk together, to leave prejudices and misperceptions behind, and to build real understandings of others.

In 2015, this challenge is even more relevant. We are still seeking a world in which collaboration, not conflict, is the norm.  With Pope Francis, we believe that if we walk together sharing our lives and listening intently to one another, we can come to the deeper understanding that makes for peace.

Father John Crossin is an Oblate of St. Francis De Sales and executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Five Things To Remember On April 30

1. Anticipation for Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment is building.

2. Speaking of the environment, the Catholic Climate Covenant is encouraging people to take the St. Francis pledge for care for creation and the poor.

3. May is the month of Mary. Devotion to Mary deserves special attention here in the United States where we are under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception.

4. In case you missed it, we shared a Five Things To Remember about our colleague and friend, Sister Mary Ann Walsh. She died Tuesday after a struggle with cancer. Many of you worked with her over the years and have shared your memories on social media.

5. God loves you.

Five Things To Remember About Sister Mary Ann Walsh

On April 28, 2015, our friend and former colleague, Sister Mary Ann Walsh, died after a struggle with cancer.  "Five Things To Remember..." was her idea and she launched it as part of this blog on November 16, 2012 under a slightly different name. The concept was simple: share Catholic news items with reporters and the public to help form their day. It tied back to her original goal when she became a Catholic journalist.

1. Mary Ann Walsh was born and raised in Albany, New York.  She joined the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 17 and celebrated her jubilee year last October. The word "mercy" brought an easy smile to her face. She believed in her mission. In the days following Pope Francis' election, she picked up on his emphasis then on mercy. Her last piece for America Magazine, where she had been working since last September, was on the pope's call for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. She wrote March 25, "Pope Francis has made mercy a key theme of his pontificate and has spoken of an 'age of mercy.' People listen to him. There is a huge need for mercy in today’s society where hurt abounds in many areas. People seem open to mercy, which emphasizes forgiveness over judgment, as never before. We need this."

Sister Mary Ann (on the lower right) recently celebrated her jubilee year.

2. Sister Mary Ann loved writing. Midway through a meeting in her office, she would talk about a piece she was working on and then drift off for a second. In the next breath, her eyes would light up because she had an idea for another piece. An hour later, she would send a masterfully-written blog about the need to help immigrants, the poor or children. When Pope Francis talked about the Church as a field hospital, she was inspired. Sister's office was a place where we were inspired as well.

3. In the final months of her life, Sister Mary Ann was on the receiving end of the mercy, which didn't necessarily come naturally for her. She ultimately came to understand it, though. “Mercy sees your needs before you see them and it’s just been overwhelming. It’s been a great embracing by the Mercy family.”

4. Did you know that the Associated Press Stylebook's entry for "nuns" featured Sister Mary Ann? It was something that always brought a smile to her face.

5. This spot has always been marked by "God loves you." Her idea was that God's love was constant. Ever the bridge, she wanted to leave people on a reassuring note. When I asked her once if perhaps it was time to change it up, she looked at me incredulously. "You've got something better than God's love?" Of course, I didn't. God does love us. She knows the depth of that love even more now.

Five Things To Remember On April 27

1. Pope Francis has named Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City, 64, as Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael Sheehan, 75, from pastoral governance of that diocese.

2. During the weekend, USCCB President Archbishop Joseph Kurtz opened the March for Marriage in Washington with a speech. You can read it here and and listen to it as well.


3. In the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, Catholic Relief Services has committed resources to relief efforts. CRS and their Caritas partners have begun procuring emergency relief materials such as tarpaulins/shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene materials. CRS urgently needs help. Donations will help immediate emergency response and allow CRS to reach even more affected families.

4. Pope Francis ordained 19 new priests during the weekend and had some advice for them: no boring homilies.

5. God loves you.

Witnessing to the Beauty of Marriage

The following speech was delivered by Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, President of the USCCB, at the March for Marriage in Washington April 25.


My dear friends: Marriage is and can only be the union of one man and one woman. This is a beautiful truth! As Pope Francis has said, “Married life is such a beautiful thing and we must protect it always, protect the children.”Redefining marriage in the law is the greatest social experiment of our time. Children don’t need experiments; they need the love of their mother and father, wherever possible.

In a few days, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the rights of states to protect marriage’s unique meaning. For the Court Justices, we promise our prayers. For our nation, we pledge our dedication to serve the dignity of every human person and to work together to build stronger communities and a better society. Marriage, like the gift of human life itself, cannot be essentially changed or redefined. Strengthening the family founded upon true marriage is essential for the good of all people.

Fairness, equality, and civil rights are values we all hold in common. But missing from much of the public conversation has been an honest look at the question of what marriage is. Advancing civil discourse depends not upon false caricatures or tactics of intimidation. Civility demands mutual respect even despite differing viewpoints. There must be room in the public square for the witness of lives inspired by the sacrificial love a husband and wife share for their children.

As a people—a movement—for marriage and the family, we seek to walk with others—especially anyone without a family, single parents, families in difficult circumstances, and those who experience same-sex attraction and their families. Further, it involves drawing near to and praying for those who disagree with us. Every person is a precious gift of God.

But friends, we will not be silenced. And we are not alone. I was grateful this past Thursday to join religious leaders of many faiths in reaffirming our shared commitment to protect marriage and religious freedom. A culture of marriage and family needs to be built. This will entail sacrifice and perseverance, in ways similar to the respect life movement. It will also entail a firm and joyful witness of hope. In the months and years ahead, may our love, patience, and courage open minds and hearts anew to the true beauty of marriage.

Thank you very much for your steadfast witness. May God bless you, the leaders of this nation, and all of our fellow citizens.

Five Things To Remember On April 24

1. Pope Francis has appointed Father Edward C. Malesic, 54, bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and accepted the resignation of Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, 76, from pastoral governance of that diocese. Father Malesic is a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and judicial vicar of that diocese.

2. The Central American Minors (CAM) program, a new initiative of the U.S. government which allows children in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador to apply for asylum and humanitarian parole in the United States from their home countries, is a tool that helps save children’s lives, said a USCCB representative, April 23.

3. This weekend is the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Over 80 dioceses in the United States rely on support from this collection. Learn how you can strengthen the Church at home.

4. During a recent homily, Pope Francis said our faith is an encounter with Jesus.

5. God loves you.

Five Things To Remember On April 22

1.Father John Crossin looks at the relationship between science and Catholicism and the search for truth.

2. Pope Francis has named Father Brendan Cahill, 51, a priest of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, bishop of Victoria, Texas, and accepted the resignation of Bishop David E. Fellhauer, 75, from pastoral governance of that diocese.

3.Pope Francis says the Sacraments help us to live out the Gospel in his tweet today.

In the Sacraments we discover the strength to think and to act according to the Gospel.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 23, 2015

4. Cardinal Francis George's funeral Mass is today. View the Archdiocese of Chicago's tribute page.

5. God loves you.