catholicweekly.com.au 2 18, April, 2021 EDWARD IDRIS CASSIDY 1924-2021 A LOYAL friend, inspiration and example of one who has been amongst us not to be served but to serve, Cardinal Cassidy stands as an example not only of Christian service, but also as a testament to the contribution the Australian church can, and continues, to make to the world. Springing to mind imme- diately, on receipt of the news that Cardinal Cassidy had de- parted this world, was a flood of memories stretching back over 20 years. Above all I remember him as a kind man, a man who would go out of his way for others. This, I think, was one of his great strengths as he worked for many years to build relations with our broth- ers and sisters from other Christian traditions, as well as the global Jewish community. The memory that stands out above the rest is my first encounter with Cardinal Cas- sidy in Rome where I travelled in 2003 to assess a suitable re- fresher course in Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue. Pope John Paul II had appoint- ed Cardinal Cassidy President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on 2 December 1989. This appointment also meant that he became President of the Commission for Religious Re- lations with the Jews. When I met Cardinal Cas- sidy I had expected nothing more than a formal greeting. But the Cardinal, in his energy and kindness, offered far more than that, building a friend- ship and making arrange- ments for me throughout my stay in Rome. He organised Agreat ecumenist is gone, but fruits of hiswork live on everywhere ¾ Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJ Cardinal built links, then led that I attend the private mass of Pope John Paul II without a moment’s hesitation. Ecu- menical relations are as much about friendship as they are about overcoming doctrinal differences. Cardinal Cassi- dy’s personal warmth and his interest in people made friendships easy, extending assistance and hospitality to a virtual stranger, alone in the Eternal City. More than just building friendships, Cardinal Cassidy led the way on many signif- icant achievements in over- coming historical challenges and disagreements between fellow Christians and the Jew- ish people. During the Cardi- nal’s time as President of the Pontifical Council the most significant ecumenical agree- ment since the Reformation was reached, when the Catho- lic Church and the Lutheran World Federation agreed to Cardinal Cassidy addresses fellow bishops in 2000. PHOTO: CNS, NANCYWIECHEC I n this edition Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5180. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-7,10-11 8-9 17 20-21 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or
[email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a Be met on arrival at Melbourne Airport or Southern Cross Station. Personal and caring service. Pre-bookings preferred. Baby seat available. English-speaking driver greets you on arrival. » Meet and greet service » Female-friendly and safe BOOKINGS 1300 139 740 or email
[email protected] MELBOURNE? Coming to Your safety is our No.1 priority! PERSONALIZED CABS the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification . It was signed on behalf of the Catho- lic Church by Cardinal Cassi- dy. He once joked, somewhat tongue in cheek, at a meeting with Lutherans, that if when he arrived at the pearly gates St Peter asked himwhat he did to merit salvation, he could say that he had signed the Joint Declaration. The cardinal was acutely aware of the enormity of the task the Church faced in the years after the Second Vatican Council, as she was beginning to build a new Christian fel- lowship after so many centu- ries of bitter division, and also helping to change two thou- sand years of Jewish–Chris- tian alienation into a new partnership. He was a leader in this process of relationship building. On a personal level, I feel forever grateful to have known Cardinal Cassidy during his years of service. Even after his retirement he was of the philosophy that a Cardinal should die with his mitre on, serving God and his church. He remained an invaluable resource to the Australian church, contributing to dis- cussions and work in ecumen- ical and inter-religious dia- logue within our multicultural society, attending events, and connecting friendships even into his twilight years. A true, multicultural, kind, Australian Cardinal, he will be missed, though we see the fruits of his labour every day. Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJ is the Executive Director of the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Commission of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Cardinal Cassidy stands as an example not only of Christian service, but also as a testament to the contribution the Aus- tralian Church ... makes to the world.” Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJ