From France to San Francisco: Bishops Boost Interfaith Bonds
Episcopal News Service. May 19, 2005 [051905-2-A]
Swing honors Roman Catholic archbishop on new appointment
[ENS, Source: Diocese of California] -- Bishop William E. Swing of California has written the following reflection to honor Roman Catholic Archbishop William J. Levada of San Francisco, who on Friday, May 13, was named prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
May 18, 2005
When Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop William J. Levada to lead the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, there was much rejoicing in San Francisco. Certainly among his Roman Catholic flock, but also among Jews, Muslims, Protestants, and a host of others. Archbishop Levada has a generous and hospitable heart toward people of varying faiths. Therefore, so many of us feel as though a friend is headed toward Rome.
When he was chosen to be the co-chair, along with our Presiding Bishop, of ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic Interfaith Consultation), the first thing he did was to come to Grace Cathedral and ask to see a Book of Common Prayer. From there Archbishop Levada studied our Anglican ethos and even attended the 2003 General Convention in Minneapolis. He sat in on the debates of both Houses surrounding consents for the Bishop of New Hampshire.
When the Episcopal Charities of the Diocese of California had its annual banquet in 1998, we chose to honor Archbishop Levada and the Catholic Charities, which at the time was celebrating 90 years of service. His concern for the poor and marginalized is well recognized in the Bay Area. The Episcopal Charities and the Catholic Charities have become colleagues, and now we complement rather than compete.
One of the upcoming occasions of farewell for the Archbishop will be hosted by interfaith leaders. Archbishop Levada reached out specifically to the Jewish and Muslim communities. His ecumenical officer was a pioneer board member of the United Religions Initiative. And on many local and national social issues his leadership rallied religious leaders to take a stand. Each year he also hosts an ecumenical or an interfaith luncheon at St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco.
Personally I cherish the Madonna and Child which he brought to our home when we dined with our dear friend Anthony, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan. On that evening we decided to go together to see the Pope, the Ecumenical Patriarch, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. We left in April 2003. A memorable and deeply moving ecumenical pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II had one audience for us and one for our entourage. His All Holiness, Bartholomew, hosted us for two days in Istanbul. We were unable to get on the calendar of the Archbishop of Canterbury, but the Bishop of London and the dean of Canterbury Cathedral were marvelously welcoming. All of us came away with a far deeper appreciation of each other's tradition and genuine affection for each other.
By the way, the Archbishop and I were born in the same summer, both named William, graduated from schools in the same years, were ordained to the priesthood on the same day, consecrated bishops around the same time, and served in San Francisco. Now when most bishops my age have retired, here is Levada starting anew in one of the most important religious positions in the world.
I truly admire him. His heart toward God. Outstanding scholar. Devotion to the Church. A rich capacity for friendship. Candor, strength, integrity, and grace. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit he will be faithful to Jesus Christ and serve with courage and compassion.
[For interviews with Bishop Swing or further information, contact: Sean McConnell 415.218.2431 seanm@diocal.org.]
Patriarch visits Paris at Pentecost
[ENS, Paris, Source: Convocation of American Churches in Europe] -- His Beatitude, Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon and head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq, made a Pentecost visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Paris, France, where the Solemn Evensong was sung in his honor. The patriarch's visit to the Cathedral is part of his ongoing visit to France, where an estimated 16,000 Chaldeans make their home. Bishop Pierre Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, who was among those facilitating the Patriarch's visit to France, noted that the purpose of the trip was both religious and diplomatic. While visiting France, the patriarch ordained three deacons at the Chaldean parish of St. Thomas the Apostle in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris. On the afternoon of May 16, the patriarch met with President Jacques Chirac to share his perspective on the evolving circumstances in his country since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
The dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Zachary Fleetwood, officiated at the vesper service in the packed church. In his opening remarks, Fleetwood welcomed the patriarch and other invited guests, including leaders of the French Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, Reformed, and Lutheran churches, and representatives of the American Embassy and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his homily given in English and French, Whalon began by conveying to Emmanuel III the greetings and prayers of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. He also read a letter of welcome from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. Whalon then thanked the patriarch for welcoming him to Baghdad in February 2003, just before the conflict began. Whalon had expressed at the time the opposition of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion to a war, and at the patriarch's invitation, led an ecumenical service for peace.
Whalon commented that he was changed by his trip to Iraq. The experience, he said, made him more aware of the ancient churches of the Orient. He expressed his hope that the American and French people (Whalon is a citizen of both countries) will become more and more aware of the churches in Iraq. "The more we know of Iraqi Christians," he said, "the better we will remember you and our duty toward you and all Iraqi Christians."
Quoting Griswold, Whalon underlined to the patriarch the "deep pain" felt by Griswold and all Episcopalians for "your suffering in the aftermath of our nation's attack, which we did everything to try to prevent." He called upon "all people of good will" now to support the new democracy being born in Iraq, saying that religious tolerance was necessary not only for the survival of Iraqi Christians, but all Iraqis. "It is therefore imperative that we all support this new democracy," said Whalon. "It is our duty." He concluded by expressing to the patriarch his hope that they could meet again "on the banks of the Tigris, where there will be peace."
A formal reception followed for Emmanuel III, who in his remarks thanked Whalon and Fleetwood for their warm welcome, and especially for the sincere expression of support and care for the Chaldeans and all Iraqi Christians. The patriarch said that their plight extends to all humanity, for we all deeply desire to live in peace. He received a gift of a leather-bound French-English Book of Common Prayer, one of four bilingual texts published by the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. The patriarch gave his benediction to the packed parish hall before departing.
This event is the second in a series on international affairs hosted at the American Cathedral. In June 2004, Whalon and Fleetwood welcomed key representatives from the Middle East of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths for a conference on peacemaking.
For more information on Emmanuel III's visit to France: http://www.mission-chaldeenne.org.
For more on the June 2004 conference: http://www.childrenofabrahampeacemakers.org.
For more on Bishop Pierre Whalon's trip to Baghdad: http://anglicansonline.org/archive/special/iraq/sheherazade.html and also http://anglicansonline.org/resources/essays/whalon/Back_to_Iraq.html
Contact: Laurence Moachon, office@tec-europe.org.