Edward Cassidy facts for kids

Edward Idris Cassidy AC (born 5 July 1924 – died 10 April 2021) was an Australian leader in the Catholic Church. He was the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity from 1989 to 2001. This council works to bring different Christian churches closer together. He also led the group that worked on relations between the Catholic Church and Jewish people. Most of his career was spent as a diplomat for the Holy See, which is the government of the Catholic Church, both in Rome and in other countries. He became a Cardinal in 1991, which is a very high rank in the Church.

Early Life and Becoming a Priest

Edward Cassidy was born in Sydney, Australia, on 5 July 1924. His parents were not Catholic and divorced when he was very young. When he was a teenager, he wanted to become a priest. At first, a priest told him he couldn't because he hadn't finished high school and his family background was "unsuitable."

Because of money problems after his grandfather died, Edward left school in 1939 to help his grandmother. He worked as a clerk. In 1942, he spoke directly to Archbishop Norman Gilroy of Sydney, who agreed to let him enter the seminary. A seminary is a school where people train to become priests. Edward started at St Columba's Catholic College in February 1943.

Edward Cassidy became a priest for the Archdiocese of Sydney on 23 July 1949. He was ordained at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. Another future cardinal, Edward Bede Clancy, was ordained at the same time. After becoming a priest, he volunteered to work in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga and was sent to a small parish in Yenda in January 1950.

Working as a Diplomat

In 1952, his bishop asked him if he wanted to study canon law (church law) in Rome. He agreed and moved to Rome. He studied at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he earned a special degree in church law in 1955. He also studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, learning about diplomacy. After finishing his studies, he joined the Vatican's diplomatic service in July 1955. This meant he would represent the Pope in different countries.

He worked in several countries, including India, Ireland, and Portugal. He was also a counselor in the Pope's offices in the United States, El Salvador, and Argentina.

In 1970, he was appointed as the Pope's representative, called an Apostolic Nuncio, to the Republic of China. He became a bishop on 15 November 1970. Later, he served as the Pope's representative in Bangladesh (from 1973), Southern Africa, and Lesotho (from 1979). In 1984, he became the Pope's representative in the Netherlands.

Working in the Vatican

On 30 May 1988, Edward Cassidy was called back to Rome to work in the Secretariat of State, which is like the Pope's main office. After only a year, he was appointed president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. This council works to build bridges and understanding between the Catholic Church and other Christian churches.

On 28 June 1991, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal. Cardinals are high-ranking officials who advise the Pope and can vote for a new Pope. In 2002, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal-Priest.

In 1999, Cardinal Cassidy played a very important role in creating the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. This was a major agreement between Catholics and Lutherans, helping to heal a disagreement that had lasted for centuries. He even joked that signing this document would be the one thing he could proudly mention on judgment day.

Retirement and Legacy

When he retired in 2001, Cardinal Cassidy returned to Australia. He sometimes helped local priests and served as a chaplain for Italian-speaking people in Newcastle.

In 2005, he published a book called Rediscovering Vatican II – Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue. This book was about working for unity among Christians and understanding between different religions. It was an important contribution to these discussions.

Cardinal Cassidy passed away in Newcastle, Australia, on 10 April 2021, at the age of 96.

Honours and Awards

In 1990, Cardinal Cassidy was given the title of Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is a high honour given for great service to the country, in his case for his work in religion and international affairs.

In 2006, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia gave him an award. They recognized his efforts to help people of different faiths understand each other better. They said he was a man full of faith and courage who helped make the world a better place. The Premier of New South Wales, Morris Iemma, also praised him, saying that no Australian had reached such a high position in the Catholic Church and been such a dedicated servant to Christian unity and inter-faith understanding.

Images for kids

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  Cardinal Edward Cassidy's coat of arms.