1998

Catholic Cardinal Makes Historic Visit from Vatican to University of Nevada

by John Trent

Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, a prominent member of the Catholic Church who hasspearheaded reconciliation efforts between Christians and Jews, is making a historic visit from the Vatican to the University of Nevada, Reno and other sites in the Truckee Meadows through Monday, Nov. 9, becoming the first cardinal to make a public stop in Reno.

It is Cassidy's only visit to the United States this year. Reno will be his only stop in the United States.

The Australian-born Cassidy is president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Commission for Religious Relations with Jews. Cassidy, 74, has led the efforts of Pope John Paul II in uniting Jewish and Catholic leaders in their examination of the role of the Catholic Church during World War II.

Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy

On Nov. 9, Cassidy will lead an interfaith clergy conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Campus Christian Association, 1317 N. Virginia St. He then will hold an open session with students and faculty in the Jot Travis Student Union at noon, Cassidy will conclude his visit to Reno by delivering the keynote address of the E.L. Wiegand Foundation Millennium Speakers Series at 7:30 p.m. in the Rose Ballroom of John Ascuaga's Nugget.

On Nov. 8, Cassidy was to preside at a Mass in the Jot Travis Student Union Auditorium on campus. A noon press conference was to follow at Our Lady of Wisdom Newman Community, 1101 N. Virginia St., across the street from campus. He then was to speak at an interfaith service at 3 p.m. at Temple Emanu El in southwest Reno. The service at Temple Emanu El was to use parts of a Kristallnacht service, written for the 60th anniversary of the 1938 Nazi night of terror ("Night of Broken Glass") against Jews in Germany and across Europe.

Cassidy was to receive an honorary degree from University of Nevada, Reno President Joe Crowley at 5 p.m. in an invitation-only reception in the Clark Room of Morrill Hall on the Nevada , campus.

Cassidy's visit to Reno comes at a pivotal time in Catholic-Jewish relations, said Leonard Weinberg, professor of political science at the University of Nevada.

"Under the leadership of Pope John Paul II, there has been an accelerated improvement in the relations between Christians and Jews," Weinberg said. "Cardinal Cassidy, in helping to draft important documents issued by the Vatican concerning these relations, has been an instrumental player in this process."

"Cardinal Cassidy's keynote address is intended to raise the consciousness level of the Holocaust, as well as the Christians' responsibility and the necessity for reconciliation," added the Rev. Frank Hoffmann, pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Newman Community, in Reno. "The people who are aware of his visit are extremely excited about it."

In March, Cassidy and the Vatican released a book, "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah." It was an attempt by the Church, according to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York, to examine "the failure of many of the church in responding to the persecution and the suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust." He added that it was "another step forward in the ongoing dialogue between Catholics and Jews."

Cassidy's career in diplomatic service for the Catholic Church extends more than 40 years. In 1970, Pope Paul VI appointed Cassidy as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of China.

In 1972, Cassidy's duties increased as he was named first Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Burma and the newly independent Bangladesh. In 1979, he was appointed Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho, a post he held until 1984, when he was transferred to The Hague as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio for the Netherlands.

In 1988, Pope John Paul II named Archbishop Cassidy Substitute of the Secretariat of State. On Dec. 12, 1989, the pontiff chose Cassidy as President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews.

Cassidy's visit is sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno; the Governor's Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust; the Campus Christian Association: Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Newman Community; and the E.L. Wiegand Foundations Millennium Speakers Series.