Cardinal Maida ‘contributed
immensely’ to ecumenical work
Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 2, 2006
Detroit — Since becoming archbishop of Detroit in 1990, Cardinal Adam Maida has drawn praise for his efforts to build better ecumenical relations among Christians and also to build understanding among people of all faiths.
Among his earliest initiatives as archbishop was the launching of the Religious Leaders Forum to bring local Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders together to foster greater interfaith understanding.
And at a time of heightened tension between Christians and Muslims following Sept. 11, Cardinal Maida became the first Catholic cardinal to visit a Muslim mosque in the United States and deliver a speech during the Friday prayers.
During his time as archbishop, the cardinal has worked with Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican leaders to improve ecumenical relations among Christians in the metro area.
“He has always been a gracious host and a gracious listener, as well,” says Metropolitan Nicholas of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit.
One particular event especially stands out for the metropolitan – when Cardinal Maida, on behalf of the Holy See, presented him with relics of St. Nicholas that had been kept for centuries in Bari, Italy. The presentation took place in December 2001 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy.
“It was on St. Nicholas’ feast day, and the people had a chance to venerate the relics. It was just an extraordinary event,” Metropolitan Nicholas recalls.
Bishop John H.K. Schreiber, of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, points to the covenant between the synod and the Archdiocese of Detroit, signed in l99l by his predecessor, Bishop J. Philip Wahl, and Archbishop Maida as a significant event in ecumenical relations.
“I continue to affirm the rich diversity in our respective communions’ and pray that the Holy Spirit will challenge and empower us ‘to overcome the separations which now exist,’” Bishop Schreiber says.
Another important event was the local celebration of the Lutheran-Catholic joint declaration on the doctrine of justification in 1999 at St. Constance Church in Taylor.
“I look forward to the continuing strong ecumenical leadership that Archbishop Maida has provided. I thank God for his faithfulness to the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ, to whom he has given his life in service for the past 50 years and for whom he will continue to do so in years to come,” Bishop Schreiber adds.
Bishop Wendell N. Gibbs Jr., of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, says Cardinal Maida is a person gifted in bringing leaders from all faith backgrounds together and in facilitating open dialogue between them.
“I have long admired that he doesn’t seem to value one denomination or one faith tradition over another in these conversations – the process of listening to one another is what is important,” Bishop Gibbs says.
He said Cardinal Maida had “contributed immensely” to ecumenical relations in the metropolitan Detroit area. “I offer my congratulations to him on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination,” Bishop Gibbs adds.
The Very Rev. Richard O. Singleton says working with Cardinal Maida on the ecumenical and interfaith scene was a pleasure for him during his years as executive director of the Metropolitan Christian Council: Detroit-Windsor.
“It has been my pleasure to work with Cardinal Maida. He has been gracious and passionate leader in our common concern of upbuilding the Body of Christ, and relating to people of other faiths,” says Rev. Singleton, an Episcopal priest who retired in March. Cardinal Maida has been very supportive of the work of the Metropolitan Christian Council: Detroit-Windsor “with his prayers, leadership, commitment and stewardship of resources,” Rev. Singleton continues.
“We are indeed blessed to have a loving, receptive, and caring ecumenical leader of the Roman Catholic Church in the City of Detroit. May God bless him on the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood with grace and strength to continue his special ministry of love in the name of Christ Jesus our Savior,” he adds.
Cardinal Maida has also worked with non-Christian religious leaders, including prominent Jews and Muslims.
One of the fruits of that cooperation was the way Christian and non-Christian leaders joined with Cardinal Maida in mobilizing opposition to a 1998 ballot proposal that would have legalized assisted suicide in Michigan, recalls Msgr. John Budde, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Novi, who was archdiocesan ecumenical adviser from 1994-2001.
“I think he’s always reached out to the Christian community, as well as to the interfaith community – to Jews and Muslims – as he has sought to build bridges,” he says.
Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills, says he and Cardinal Maida have developed “a very warm relationship” over the years.
At the two occasions when Cardinal Maida spoke at Temple Beth El, he was “elegant, gracious, interesting and knowledgeable about the issues that are of concern to Jews and Catholics,” Rabbi Syme says.
“When he apologized to the Jews for the inadequate actions of the Catholic Church during the Holocaust, you could have heard a pin drop. It left people stunned and silent, and very approving,” the rabbi continues.
Rabbi Syme says Cardinal Maida exhibits a “vast knowledge of Judaism and Jewish values” and used Hebrew freely and correctly during his appearances at the temple.
“He didn’t talk at the congregation, he spoke with them,” Rabbi Syme adds.
Imam Hassan Qazwini, religious director of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, calls Cardinal Maida a pioneer in interfaith work for his efforts to build bridges between Catholics and Muslims.
The cardinal’s mosque visit was an example of that pioneering, in the imam’s view.
“I believe Cardinal Maida sets the right example – of openness, sincerity and visionary leadership,” Imam Qazwini adds.
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