# Edward Cassidy

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Australian Roman Catholic cardinal (1924–2021)

For the American drummer, see [Ed Cassidy](/source/Ed_Cassidy).

His Eminence Edward Cassidy AC President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Cassidy, 11 December 1984 Church Roman Catholic Church Appointed 12 December 1989 Predecessor Johannes Willebrands Successor Walter Kasper Other post Cardinal-Priest 'pro hac vice' of Santa Maria in Via Lata (2002–2021) Previous posts Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to China (1970–79) Titular Archbishop of Amantia (1970–1991) Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh (1973–79) Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho (1979–1984) Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa (1979–1984) Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands (1984–88) Substitute for General Affairs (1988–89) President of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews (1989–2001) Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata (1991–2002) Orders Ordination 23 July 1949 by Norman Thomas Gilroy Consecration 15 November 1970 by Jean-Marie Villot Created cardinal 28 June 1991 by Pope John Paul II Rank Cardinal-Deacon (1991–2002) Cardinal-Priest (2002–2021) Personal details Born Edward Idris Cassidy (1924-07-05)5 July 1924 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Died 10 April 2021(2021-04-10) (aged 96) Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia Alma mater Pontifical Lateran University Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy Motto Fortitudo mea Dominus Coat of arms

Styles of Edward Idris Cassidy Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Informal style Cardinal See Amantia (titular see)

**Edward Idris Cassidy** [AC](/source/Companion_of_the_Order_of_Australia) (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](/source/Pontifical_Council_for_Promoting_Christian_Unity) from 1989 to 2001. He headed the [Commission of the Holy See for Religious Relations with the Jews](/source/Commission_of_the_Holy_See_for_Religious_Relations_with_the_Jews). He spent most of his career in the [diplomatic service of the Holy See](/source/Vatican_Diplomatic_Corps) 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.[1] When he was a student at [Parramatta High School](/source/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](/source/Norman_Gilroy) of Sydney, who accepted his arguments. Cassidy entered the local seminary, [St Columba's Catholic College](/source/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](/source/St_Mary's_Cathedral%2C_Sydney),[2] by Cardinal Gilroy. [Edward Bede Clancy](/source/Edward_Bede_Clancy), like Cassidy a future cardinal, was ordained at the same time. He volunteered to transfer to the [Diocese of Wagga Wagga](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Wagga_Wagga) and in January 1950 he was assigned to the small [parish](/source/Parish_(Catholic_Church)) of [Yenda](/source/Yenda%2C_New_South_Wales).

## Diplomatic service

In 1952, Bishop Francis Henschke of Wagga Wagga asked him if he would like to go to Rome to study [canon law](/source/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](/source/Piazza_Navona). He completed his education studying at the [Pontifical Lateran University](/source/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 [nunciatures](/source/Nunciature) in India, Portugal, and Ireland. He was appointed counsellor of the apostolic delegation in the United States in June 1967, but as the [nuncio in Ireland](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_Ireland), Archbishop [Giuseppe Sensi](/source/Giuseppe_Sensi), was then transferred to the [nunciature in Portugal](/source/Apostolic_Nuncio_to_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](/source/Titular_bishop) of Amantia and [Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Republic of China](/source/Apostolic_Nunciature_to_China).[2] He was consecrated on 15 November by Cardinal [Jean-Marie Villot](/source/Jean-Marie_Villot) assisted by Archbishops [Giovanni Benelli](/source/Giovanni_Benelli) and Matthew Beovich, representing Cardinal [Sergio Pignedoli](/source/Sergio_Pignedoli).[3] 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.[4] On 25 March 1979, Pope John Paul II appointed him Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho.[5] 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.[6]

## Roman Curia

On 30 May 1988 he was appointed Substitute of the [Secretariat of State](/source/Secretariat_of_State_(Holy_See)) in the [Roman Curia](/source/Roman_Curia).[7] After only a year he was appointed president of the [Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity](/source/Pontifical_Council_for_Promoting_Christian_Unity). In the consistory of 28 June 1991 [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) created him [Cardinal-Deacon](/source/Cardinal-Deacon) of [S. Maria in Via Lata](/source/S._Maria_in_Via_Lata).[8] 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](/source/Joint_Declaration_on_the_Doctrine_of_Justification)*, widely received as a landmark achievement for [ecumenism](/source/Ecumenism) in bridging the centuries-long divide between Catholics and Lutherans.[1] Reflecting on his involvement, Cassidy joked that signing it would be the one thing he could confidently cite on his behalf on judgement day.[9]

## 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](/source/Newcastle%2C_New_South_Wales).[1]

His book titled *Rediscovering Vatican II – Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue*, was published 2005[10] and marked the 40th anniversary of the Vatican's ecumenism declaration *[Nostra aetate](/source/Nostra_aetate)*. The book made a significant contribution to ongoing international inter-religious dialogue.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Cassidy died in Newcastle, Australia, on 10 April 2021 at the age of 96.[11]

## Honours

In 1990, Cassidy was appointed a Companion of the [Order of Australia](/source/Order_of_Australia) (AC) in "recognition of service to the [sic] religion and to international affairs".[12]

In 2006, the [LDS Church](/source/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints) 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](/source/Premier_of_New_South_Wales) [Morris Iemma](/source/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."[13]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tablet_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tablet_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tablet_1-2) Lamb, Christopher (13 April 2021). ["Cardinal Edward Cassidy – the quiet achiever"](https://web.archive.org/web/20230404150849/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14052/cardinal-edward-cassidy-the-quiet-achiever-). *The Tablet*. Archived from [the original](https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/14052/cardinal-edward-cassidy-the-quiet-achiever-) on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vatbio_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vatbio_2-1) ["Cassidy Card. Edward Idris"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html). [Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170904063043/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html) from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church Biographical Dictionary John Paul II (1978–2005) Consistory of June 28, 1991 (V)"](https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios1991.htm). *fiu.edu*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200105135414/https://webdept.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios1991.htm) from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-65-1973-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXV. 1973. p. 111. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-71-1979-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXI. 1979. p. 385. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*Acta Apostolicae Sedis*](https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-76-1984-ocr.pdf) (PDF). Vol. LXXVI. 1984. p. 1094. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Australian One of Two New Vatican Aides"](https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/31/world/australian-one-of-two-new-vatican-aides.html). *The New York Times*. 31 May 1988. Retrieved 20 February 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Edward Idris Cardinal Cassidy"](http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcassidye.html). *catholic-hierarchy.org*. Retrieved 28 December 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [""Joint Declaration" is a 'peace document'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081121053347/http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/675.EN.html). *Lutheran World Information*. 29 October 1999. Archived from [the original](http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/675.EN.html) on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Cassidy, Edward Idris (2005). [*Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue: Unitatis Redintegratio, Nostra Aetate*](https://archive.org/details/ecumenisminterre00cass). Paulist Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780809143382](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780809143382).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Brockhaus, Hannah (10 April 2021). ["Australian Cardinal Edward Cassidy, Vatican official and diplomat, dies at 96"](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247239/australian-cardinal-edward-cassidy-vatican-official-and-diplomat-dies-at-96). [Catholic News Agency](/source/Catholic_News_Agency). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210410154126/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247239/australian-cardinal-edward-cassidy-vatican-official-and-diplomat-dies-at-96) from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["CASSIDY, Edward Idris"](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885753). *It's an Honour*. Commonwealth of Australia. 11 June 1990. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122921/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/885753) from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Mormons give interfaith award to Cardinal Cassidy"](http://cathnews.acu.edu.au/609/161.php). *Catholic News*. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2012.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Edward Cassidy](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Edward_Cassidy).

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Edward Idris Cassidy](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_Idris_Cassidy)***.

- ["Cassidy Card. Edward Idris"](https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html). [Holy See Press Office](/source/Holy_See_Press_Office). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170904063043/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_cassidy_ei.html) from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2017.

- [Cardinal Cassidy on Catholic hierarchy.org](http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcassidye.html)

- [Interview with Cardinal Cassidy](http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1557)

- [news item on his book](http://www.cathnews.com/news/510/88.php) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060825192142/http://www.cathnews.com/news/510/88.php) 25 August 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Diplomatic posts Preceded by Luigi Accogli Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to China 27 October 1970 – 25 March 1979 Office abolished Nunciature created Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Bangladesh 31 January 1973 – 25 March 1979 Succeeded by Luigi Accogli Preceded by Alfredo Poledrini Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Lesotho 25 March 1979 – 6 November 1984 Succeeded by Joseph Mees Apostolic Delegate to Southern Africa 25 March 1979 – 6 November 1984 Preceded by Bruno Wüstenberg Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands 6 November 1984 – 23 March 1988 Succeeded by Audrys Juozas Bačkis Catholic Church titles Titular see created — TITULAR — Titular Archbishop of Amantia 27 October 1970 – 28 June 1991 Succeeded by Johannes Liku Ada' Preceded by Johannes Willebrands President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity 12 December 1989 – 3 March 2001 Succeeded by Walter Kasper Office created President of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews 12 December 1989 – 3 March 2001 Preceded by Władysław Rubin Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata 28 June 1991 – 26 February 2002 Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Via Lata 26 February 2002 – 10 April 2021 Vacant Political offices Preceded by Eduardo Martínez Somalo Substitute for General Affairs 23 March 1988 – 12 December 1989 Succeeded by Giovanni Battista Re

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