wfn.org | NCC creates Cardinal Bernardin Award

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To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

The National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the USA

Contact: Carol J Fouke, 
NCC Chicago Newsroom 312-332-7053
     (After Nov., 15, call 212-870-2252)

NCC 11/11/96

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     CHICAGO, Nov.11--- Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Chicago, on Wednesday (Nov. 13) will become the first
recipient of a new annual award in his honor, established today by the
National Council of Churches - an organization of 33 Protestant and
Orthodox member communions. 

     The Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Common Ground Award will be presented
during the opening plenary of the NCC's General Assembly. meeting here Nov.
13-15. A representative of the Chicago Archdiocese will receive the award
on behalf of the Cardinal, who is too ill to accept the award in person.

     Established by vote of the Council's officers today, the award brings
"honor and recognition to those persons whose lives have shown dedication
to the unity to people." It is named in honor of Cardinal Bernardin as "a
man of constancy and tenacity in the search for common ground far the
People of God."

     The NCC's General Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell who has
known Cardinal Bernardin "since he was a young priest in Cincinnati, Ohio,"
hailed the Archbishop as a "bridge builder among Catholics, between
Catholics and Protestants, between Catholics and Jews." "He consistently
has found common ground among otherwise disagreeing partners" on issues as
diverse as abortion, the limits or civil liberties and the role of women in
the church." Dr. Campbell said.

     Future recipients of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Common Ground Award
will be determined by a small committee, including t*Le President of the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops and National Council of Churches,
wit representation by die Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Dr.
Campbell said. 

     -end-