{{Short description|Australian Roman Catholic cardinal (1924–2021)}} {{for|the American drummer|Ed Cassidy}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2013}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific_prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = Edward Cassidy | honorific_suffix = [[Order of Australia|AC]] | title = [[Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity|President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity]] | image = Edward Idris Cassidy (1984).jpg | caption = Cassidy, 11 December 1984 | church = [[Roman Catholic Church]] | appointed = 12 December 1989 | ended = 3 March 2001 | predecessor = [[Johannes Willebrands]] | successor = [[Walter Kasper]] | other_post = [[Santa Maria in Via Lata|Cardinal-Priest 'pro hac vice' of Santa Maria in Via Lata]] (2002–2021) | ordination = 23 July 1949 | ordained_by = [[Norman Thomas Gilroy]] | consecration = 15 November 1970 | consecrated_by = [[Jean-Marie Villot]] | cardinal = 28 June 1991 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope John Paul II]] | rank = [[Cardinal-Deacon]] (1991–2002)<br>[[Cardinal-Priest]] (2002–2021) | previous_post = [[Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to China]] (1970–79)<br>[[Amantia|Titular Archbishop of Amantia]] (1970–1991)<br>[[Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh]] (1973–79)<br>[[Apostolic Nunciature to Lesotho|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho]] (1979–1984)<br>[[Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa|Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa]] (1979–1984)<br>[[Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands]] (1984–88)<br>[[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Substitute for General Affairs]] (1988–89)<br>[[Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews|President of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews]] (1989–2001)<br>Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata (1991–2002) | birth_name = Edward Idris Cassidy | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1924|07|05}} | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2021|04|10|1924|07|05}} | death_place = [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], New South Wales, Australia | buried = | alma_mater = [[Pontifical Lateran University]]<br>[[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]] | motto = ''Fortitudo mea Dominus'' | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Edward Idris Cassidy.svg }} {{infobox cardinalstyles |cardinal name=Edward Idris Cassidy |dipstyle=His Eminence |offstyle=Your Eminence |See=Amantia ([[titular see]]) |image= Coat of arms of Edward Idris Cassidy.svg |image_size=200px }} '''Edward Idris Cassidy''' [[Companion of the Order of Australia|AC]] (5 July 1924 – 10 April 2021) was an Australian prelate of the Catholic Church who was president of the [[Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity]] from 1989 to 2001. He headed the [[Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with the Jews]]. He spent most of his career in the [[Vatican Diplomatic Corps|diplomatic service of the Holy See]] both in Rome and overseas. He was made a cardinal in 1991.
==Early life== Cassidy was born in Sydney on 5 July 1924. His parents were not Catholic and divorced while he was just one.<ref name=tablet/> When he was a student at [[Parramatta High School]], a priest from St Felix's parish discouraged Cassidy from becoming a priest because he had not finished his secondary education, had not studied in Catholic schools and his family background was "unsuitable". Due to financial difficulties after his grandfather died, he left school to support his grandmother in 1939 and worked at the New South Wales Department of Road Transport as a junior clerk. In 1942, he presented his case for entering the seminary directly to Archbishop [[Norman Gilroy]] of Sydney, who accepted his arguments. Cassidy entered the local seminary, [[St Columba's Catholic College]] in Springwood, in February 1943.
Cassidy was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney on 23 July 1949 at [[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]],<ref name=vatbio/> by Cardinal Gilroy. [[Edward Bede Clancy]], like Cassidy a future cardinal, was ordained at the same time. He volunteered to transfer to the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga|Diocese of Wagga Wagga]] and in January 1950 he was assigned to the small [[Parish (Catholic Church)|parish]] of [[Yenda, New South Wales|Yenda]].
==Diplomatic service== In 1952, Bishop Francis Henschke of Wagga Wagga asked him if he would like to go to Rome to study [[canon law]]; he agreed and left for Rome on 1 September 1952. While studying in Rome, he resided at Collegio Sant'Apollinare, next to [[Piazza Navona]]. He completed his education studying at the [[Pontifical Lateran University]] in Rome, where he obtained a doctorate in canon law in July 1955 with a dissertation on the history and juridical nature of apostolic delegations, and at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, also in Rome, from October 1953, where he obtained a diploma in diplomatic studies. After finishing his studies, he joined the Vatican diplomatic service in July 1955.
He served in the [[nunciature]]s in India, Portugal, and Ireland. He was appointed counsellor of the apostolic delegation in the United States in June 1967, but as the [[Apostolic Nunciature to Ireland|nuncio in Ireland]], Archbishop [[Giuseppe Sensi]], was then transferred to the [[Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal|nunciature in Portugal]], Cassidy was required to stay in Dublin until the following November. He then did not take up his role in the US, and was named instead counselor of the nunciature in El Salvador, where he remained until the end of 1969, at which point he became counselor of the nunciature in Argentina.
On 27 October 1970 he was appointed [[titular bishop]] of Amantia and [[Apostolic Nunciature to China|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of China]].<ref name=vatbio>{{cite web| access-date = 4 November 2017| title= Cassidy Card. Edward Idris |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] |url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904063043/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html }}</ref> He was consecrated on 15 November by Cardinal [[Jean-Marie Villot]] assisted by Archbishops [[Giovanni Benelli]] and Matthew Beovich, representing Cardinal [[Sergio Pignedoli]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church Biographical Dictionary John Paul II (1978–2005) Consistory of June 28, 1991 (V) |url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios1991.htm |website=fiu.edu |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-date=5 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105135414/https://webdept.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios1991.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 31 January 1973 he was additionally named the first Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh (Cassidy relocated to Dhaka shortly thereafter) and Apostolic Delegate to Burma.<ref>{{cite book | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-65-1973-ocr.pdf | page= 111| date= 1973 | volume = LXV | access-date = 8 December 2019 }}</ref> On 25 March 1979, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho.<ref>{{cite book | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-71-1979-ocr.pdf | page= 385 | date= 1979| volume = LXXI | access-date = 8 December 2019 }}</ref> His term as Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to China only ended in April 1979; he was the last to hold that title. On 6 November 1984, he was appointed Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite book | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-76-1984-ocr.pdf | page= 1094 | date= 1984 | volume = LXXVI | access-date = 8 December 2019 }}</ref>
==Roman Curia== On 30 May 1988 he was appointed Substitute of the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] in the [[Roman Curia]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Australian One of Two New Vatican Aides|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/31/world/australian-one-of-two-new-vatican-aides.html|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The New York Times|date=31 May 1988}}</ref> After only a year he was appointed president of the [[Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity]]. In the consistory of 28 June 1991 [[Pope John Paul II]] created him [[Cardinal-Deacon]] of [[S. Maria in Via Lata]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcassidye.html |website=catholic-hierarchy.org |access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> On 26 February 2002 he took the option open to cardinal deacons to be elevated to the rank of cardinal priest after ten years as a cardinal deacon.
In 1999, Cassidy was jointly responsible for the publication of the ''[[Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification]]'', widely received as a landmark achievement for [[ecumenism]] in bridging the centuries-long divide between Catholics and Lutherans.<ref name=tablet/> Reflecting on his involvement, Cassidy joked that signing it would be the one thing he could confidently cite on his behalf on judgement day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/675.EN.html |title="Joint Declaration" is a 'peace document' |date=29 October 1999 |work=Lutheran World Information |access-date=10 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121053347/http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/675.EN.html |archive-date=21 November 2008 }}</ref>
==Retirement== When he retired in 2001, he returned to his native Australia, where he substituted for local priests on occasion and served as chaplain to the Italian-speaking community of [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]].<ref name=tablet>{{cite news | access-date = 20 April 2021 | url = https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14052/cardinal-edward-cassidy-the-quiet-achiever- | newspaper = The Tablet | first = Christopher | last = Lamb | title = Cardinal Edward Cassidy – the quiet achiever | date = 13 April 2021 | archive-date = 4 April 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230404150849/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14052/cardinal-edward-cassidy-the-quiet-achiever- | url-status = dead }}</ref>
His book titled ''Rediscovering Vatican II – Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue'', was published 2005<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cassidy |first1=Edward Idris |title=Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue: Unitatis Redintegratio, Nostra Aetate |url=https://archive.org/details/ecumenisminterre00cass |url-access=registration |date=2005 |publisher=Paulist Press|isbn=9780809143382 }}</ref> and marked the 40th anniversary of the Vatican's ecumenism declaration ''[[Nostra aetate]]''. The book made a significant contribution to ongoing international inter-religious dialogue.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
Cassidy died in Newcastle, Australia, on 10 April 2021 at the age of 96.<ref>{{cite news|date=10 April 2021|title=Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy, Vatican official and diplomat, dies at 96|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247239/australian-cardinal-edward-cassidy-vatican-official-and-diplomat-dies-at-96|publisher=[[Catholic News Agency]]|access-date=20 April 2021|first= Hannah | last = Brockhaus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410154126/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247239/australian-cardinal-edward-cassidy-vatican-official-and-diplomat-dies-at-96|archive-date=10 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Honours== In 1990, Cassidy was appointed a Companion of the [[Order of Australia]] (AC) in "recognition of service to the [sic] religion and to international affairs".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885753 |work=It's an Honour |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |title=CASSIDY, Edward Idris |date=11 June 1990 |access-date=10 January 2012 | url-status= live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122921/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885753 | archive-date= 29 January 2019 }}</ref>
In 2006, the [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS Church]] in Australia presented Cassidy with an award for his efforts to bring better understanding to the people of the world. Presenting the "John Simpson Standing for Something" award to Cassidy for his role in building interfaith relations across the world, LDS Elder Paul Sybrowsky said that "Latter-day Saints have seen that Cardinal Cassidy is indeed a man filled with faith and courage to help make this a better world for all to live in." In a message of congratulations, [[Premier of New South Wales|Premier]] [[Morris Iemma]] (also a Catholic) said that "no Australian has risen to greater eminence in the Catholic Church, and none has been such a devoted servant of the cause of ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue."<ref>{{cite web |title=Mormons give interfaith award to Cardinal Cassidy |url=http://cathnews.acu.edu.au/609/161.php |work=Catholic News |date=28 September 2006 |access-date=10 January 2012 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commonscat}} {{wikiquote|Edward Idris Cassidy}}
* {{cite web| access-date = 4 November 2017| title= Cassidy Card. Edward Idris |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904063043/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html }} * [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcassidye.html Cardinal Cassidy on Catholic hierarchy.org] * [http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1557 Interview with Cardinal Cassidy] * [http://www.cathnews.com/news/510/88.php news item on his book] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060825192142/http://www.cathnews.com/news/510/88.php |date=25 August 2006 }}
{{s-start}} {{s-dip}} {{s-bef|before=[[Luigi Accogli]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to China]]|years=27 October 1970 – 25 March 1979}} {{s-non|reason=Office abolished}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=Nunciature created}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh]]|years=31 January 1973 – 25 March 1979}} {{s-aft|after=[[Luigi Accogli]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Alfredo Poledrini]]|rows=2}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Apostolic Nunciature to Lesotho|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho]]|years=25 March 1979 – 6 November 1984}} {{s-aft|after=[[Joseph Mees]]|rows=2}} {{s-break}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa|Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa]]|years=25 March 1979 – 6 November 1984}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Bruno Wüstenberg]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands|Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands]]|years=6 November 1984 – 23 March 1988}} {{s-aft|after=[[Audrys Juozas Bačkis]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=Titular see created}} {{s-tul|title=[[Amantia|Titular Archbishop of Amantia]]|years=27 October 1970 – 28 June 1991}} {{s-aft|after=Johannes Liku Ada'}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Johannes Willebrands]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity|President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity]]|years=12 December 1989 – 3 March 2001}} {{s-aft|after=[[Walter Kasper]]|rows=2}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=Office created}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews|President of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews]]|years=12 December 1989 – 3 March 2001}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Władysław Rubin]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Santa Maria in Via Lata|Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata]]|years=28 June 1991 – 26 February 2002}} {{s-non|reason=}} {{s-break}} {{s-non|reason=}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Santa Maria in Via Lata|Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Via Lata]]|years=26 February 2002 – 10 April 2021}} {{s-vac}} {{s-break}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Eduardo Martínez Somalo]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Secretariat of State (Vatican)|Substitute for General Affairs]]|years=23 March 1988 – 12 December 1989}} {{s-aft|after=[[Giovanni Battista Re]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Cardinals created by John Paul II}} {{Cardinals of the Catholic Church|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cassidy, Edward}} [[Category:2021 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century Roman Catholic titular bishops]] [[Category:Australian people of Irish descent]] [[Category:1924 births]] [[Category:Australian cardinals]] [[Category:Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy alumni]] [[Category:Companions of the Order of Australia]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope John Paul II]] [[Category:Pontifical Lateran University alumni]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to the Netherlands]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to Bangladesh]] [[Category:Apostolic nuncios to South Africa]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in Bangladesh]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in El Salvador]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in India]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in Ireland]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in Italy]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in the Netherlands]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in Portugal]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in South Africa]] [[Category:Australian expatriates in Taiwan]]