THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE OF JERUSALEM
(NSW LIEUTENANCY)
has pleasure in inviting you to
THE LAUNCH OF IDRIS EDWARD CARDINAL CASSIDY’S MEMOIR
“MY YEARS IN VATICAN SERVICE”
BY HIS EXCELLENCY ARCHBISHOP GIUSEPPE LAZZAROTTO, APOSTOLIC NUNCIO
to be followed by a book signing and refreshments in Cathedral House
WHERE: | The Crypt, St Mary’s Cathedral, College Street, Sydney |
WHEN: | Thursday, 2 July 2009 at 5.30pm |
RSVP: | To assist with catering, please rsvp to cassidylaunch@hotmail.com |
Any inquiries may be directed to the Chancellor, François Kunc SC KHS on 9221 7675 or fkunc@selbornechambers.com.au .
Born in 1924 and ordained to the priesthood in 1949, Cardinal Cassidy was, in his own words, an unlikely vocation. Nevertheless, this son of non-Catholic parents rose to become Substitute in the Holy See’s Secretariat of State—the third most senior position in the Vatican after the Pope and the Secretary of State. In this insightful memoir Cardinal Cassidy reflects on an eventful life including 60 years of priestly service. The book covers his many years in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in places as diverse as India, Ireland, Latin America, Taiwan and the Netherlands, followed by his time as a close collaborator of the Servant of God John Paul II in the Secretariat of State and then as President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews. Anyone interested in the life of the Catholic Church and its relations with the wider world, including the important place occupied by its ecumenical endeavours, will be fascinated by these personal reflections of a truly great Australian.
The President of the NSW Council of Christians and Jews, Mr. William Szekely, writes:
The Dear Friends,
The objects of CCJ centre on interfaith education of each faith about the other, and its proponents number many. Cardinal Cassidy is an exceptional proponent for those who have followed his career. It may be recalled that he was involved at the Great Synagogue in the 40th commemoration of Nostra Aetate and that one of his books was available on that occasion after the event – I was one of many who acquired a signed copy on that occasion. He has now written his memoirs, outlining his illustrious career with diplomacy at its forefront along with tireless efforts on interfaith matters.
Cardinal Cassidy, I am informed, is keen to ensure the invitation reaches all the appropriate people involved in ecumenical works in Sydney, and ask if you would like to attend and also, if you could please forward this invitation as widely as possible? Sr Giovanni Farquer, Francois Kunc SC and Cardinal Cassidy would all be most grateful. I will be attending and invite you too, to attend with me and hear, meet and subsequently read the Cardinal.
