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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  Interfaith, civic leaders welcome Abp. Vigneron, thank Cd. Maida

by Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 13, 2009

Larry A. Peplin | The Michigan Catholic Rev. Dr. Oscar King III (left) of Northwest Unity Baptist Church talks with Archbishop Allen Vigneron (right) and Cardinal Adam Maida at an interfaith prayer breakfast.

Detroit — Following the grand ceremony in which Archbishop Allen Vigneron succeeded Cardinal Adam Maida as chief shepherd of the Detroit area's Catholics, leaders from other faiths and the civic community met with and shared their warm wishes for both men.

Imams, rabbis, Protestant ministers and elected officials were among more than 100 people gathered at a prayer breakfast Feb. 2 at the Westin Book Cadillac to welcome Archbishop Vigneron to his new post.

Those offering both their thanks to the cardinal and their welcome to the new archbishop included Imam Hassan Qazwini of the Islamic Center of America; Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, senior Rabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek; Detroit interim Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr.; and Rev. Dr. Oscar King III, president of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity. Sr. Maureen Fay, OP, president emerita of University of Detroit Mercy, facilitated the event and also offered her own comments.

Larry A. Peplin | The Michigan Catholic Cardinal Adam Maida converses with Imams (from left) Ali Elahi, Hassan Qazwini and Mustafa El Turk. During the prayer breakfast, Imam Qazwini gave the cardinal high praise for his interfaith service.

The breakfast took place in the ornate Venetian Room on the Book Cadillac's fourth floor, with the United in Christ Choir — a collection of singers from Detroit Catholic parishes — providing spirited vocal music for the event.

"We're here to honor Archbishop Vigneron," said Imam Qazwini during the invocation, "but also we're here to salute and to respect and commend our dear Cardinal Maida."

Imam Qazwini said he was honored to befriend Cardinal Maida, "a great man of honor and leadership and vision," and also asked God to grant Archbishop Vigneron "vision and resilience so that he can gracefully fulfill his huge responsibilities."

Cockerel

Mayor Cockrel, the lone elected official to address the gathering, formally welcomed Archbishop Vigneron on behalf of Detroit residents, and presented him with a plaque with a proclamation in recognition of his service. He told Cardinal Maida how much the community admired his leadership and "this community will benefit from your wisdom and continued involvement as archbishop emeritus."

The mayor also voiced his desire for greater collaboration between the city and its spiritual leaders.

"The ecumenical nature of this morning's breakfast meeting speaks to the importance of community-wide efforts for cooperation and communication across all faiths and all affiliations," Mayor Cockrel said. "Spiritual leadership is the source of stability, strength and inspiration — and we'll take as much of those attributes as we can get right now, because the Lord knows we definitely need them."

Cardinal Maida introduced Archbishop Vigneron to the interfaith leaders — or in some cases re-introduced him, as the archbishop had worked on interfaith efforts when he was a Detroit auxiliary bishop.

But first, the cardinal thanked the gathering for their kindness and for their years of service together.

"As far as humanly possible we have stood together and spoken with one voice, trying to bring together the respective roles and gifts of government, business and religion," the cardinal said. "I thank you for the privilege of having been a partner with you as we have sought to bring consolation, hope and inspiration to the people of Southeast Michigan."

Cardinal Maida pointed out to the gathering that Archbishop Vigneron has a doctorate degree in philosophy from Catholic University of America.

"He wrote on the distinction between ambiguity and vague judgments in the writings of (German philosopher) Edmund Husserl — perhaps the archbishop will be able to give you some insights into this lofty topic," the cardinal quipped, drawing laughter. On a serious note, the cardinal also voiced praise for and confidence in his successor.

"I can assure you that he will be a very strong, consistent voice on behalf of the dignity of life at every stage and circumstance, and he will be an articulate and persuasive speaker, offering moral guidance to the many medical, moral and social issues of our time," the cardinal said.

Taking the podium after the cardinal, Archbishop Vigneron thanked the gathering for the opportunity to meet.

He recalled a personal story from his childhood when, as a junior at Sacred Heart Seminary High School, he met Rabbi Morris Adler of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, a Southfield-based synagogue. The rabbi welcomed the students into the synagogue, taught them how Jews rise out of reverence when the Torah is brought from its ark, and showed them how the synagogue was prepared for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Drawing laughter, Archbishop Vigneron confessed that — typical of a teenager — "what I best remember from that part of the visit was the cake he offered us to eat."

The archbishop went on to give an account of his experience with interfaith partnerships, saying that much of it came through his service to Cardinal Maida as an auxiliary bishop. He pledged his efforts to sustain the good will that exists between the religious leaders.

"I will do my best to build on what Cardinal Maida, along with you, has accomplished," Archbishop Vigneron said. "And I hope you will find me to be an equally reliable partner and useful contributor to our common efforts to strengthen the City of Detroit and the other communities of this region through the wise insights and energy for action that come from religious belief and identity."

The archbishop cited the creation account from Genesis, the Declaration of Independence, and Pope John Paul II in talking to those gathered about the dignity and liberty of the person coming from the creator and entrusted to man's stewardship.

He also stressed that "the exercise of civil authority is rooted in God's plan for the world," and promised support and prayers for elected officials.

"As one of Detroit's religious leaders, I want, as one of the first forms of service which I can offer our civic community, to acknowledge the importance of the service we receive from our elected and appointed officials — especially in a time when it might be easy to be cynical," he said.

Following the formal addresses, Cardinal Maida, Archbishop Vigneron and the religious and civic leaders took time to chat. Several voiced their eagerness to work with the archbishop.

Rabbi Krakoff

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to build a stronger connection between Jews and Catholics in this community," said Rabbi Krakoff. He said it was nice hearing about Archbishop Vigneron's encounter with Rabbi Adler, one of his predecessors.

"I know that Cardinal Maida has done a wonderful, wonderful job," the rabbi said. "(With Archbishop Vigneron), both of us are kind of next generation. I'm looking forward to now continuing that generational connection."

Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk, president of the Warren-based Islamic Organization of North America, said he was particularly pleased with Archbishop Vigneron's history in interfaith relations.

"We're just so delighted to have someone like him, who had worked with other faiths — particularly with interfaith leaders," Imam Elturk said. "We're looking forward to working with him and to continue the good work that will strengthen ourselves and the community."

From the Christian community, Dr. King, who offered the closing prayer, had high praise for Cardinal Maida's ministry, and wanted the cross-denominational relationship to stay intact.

"Cardinal Maida has been a warrior and a revolutionary pastor, and he's been a friend of the entire community," Dr. King said. "So in this transition, we want to make sure that the spirit of cooperation that existed with him will carry over to his successor. We all have to work and carry out the same mission, which is to take care of the least of God's people.

"We just want to make sure that those on the outside know that those of us who profess to be saved are on the same wavelength. That we're Christ-centered, Bible-based and going to carry out the mission and the will of the Church."

Archbishop transition updates: www.aodonline.org/archbishop
Cardinal Maida tribute: www.aodonline.org/maida