wfn.org | B'nai B'rith Pays Tribute To Cardinal Kasper, Key Liaison To Jews

["David Michaels" <dmichaels@bnaibrith.org>]

>B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL

>NEWS RELEASE

>Contact:  Sharon Bender
>202-857-6699 or sbender@bnaibrith.org

B'NAI B'RITH INTERNATIONAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO CARDINAL WALTER KASPER UPON
RETIREMENT AS CHIEF VATICAN LIAISON TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

(Washington, D.C., June 29, 2010)-B'nai B'rith International has sent a
letter to the Vatican's main point person on Catholic-Jewish relations
expressing sadness at the news of his retirement.

Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity and its Commission for Religious Relations
with the Jews, demonstrated an "approach of constructiveness and
healing" in his engagement with Jewish leaders.

The letter, written by B'nai B'rith International President Dennis W.
Glick, Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, and Director of
U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David J. Michaels, notes: "we have been
privileged to know the warmth, openness and spirit that you have brought
to your work."

B'nai B'rith described Kasper as a true and faithful partner,
occasionally in difficult times, in advancing the Catholic-Jewish
friendship over the decade he held the post.

Glick, Mariaschin, and Michaels wrote: "Your leadership of the
Commission for nearly a decade has been characterized by great devotion
- indicative of the profound importance of, and immense strides over the
course of less than half a century in, the Catholic-Jewish relationship.
Undoubtedly, your personal role in caring for and advancing this
endeavor has been significant."

B'nai B'rith expressed the hope that even in his retirement, the
cardinal's contributions will continue to provide an enduring foundation
for the advancement of relations between Catholics and Jews.

B'nai B'rith International, the Global Voice of the Jewish Community, is
the oldest and most widely known Jewish humanitarian, human rights, and
advocacy organization.  For 166 years, BBI has worked for Jewish unity,
security, continuity, and tolerance.  Visit http://www.bnaibrith.org.

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