CCJU Celebrates 10 Years
Honors Ambassador James Nicholson

On November 21, 2002, the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding (CCJU) of Sacred Heart University gathered to host its seventh annual Nostra Aetate Awards Ceremony at the Park Avenue Synagogue, New York City. The fundraising dinner drew over 100 guests to celebrate the Center's 10th anniversary and presentation of the Nostra Aetate Award to R. James (Jim) Nicholson, United States Ambassador to the Holy See. The award is named for the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions.

In attendance were Dr. Anthony J. Cernera, president of Sacred Heart University, Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, Rabbi David H. Lincoln, spiritual leader of the Park Avenue Synagogue, and Reverend Michael Moynihan, pastor of St. Michael's Church, Greenwich, and Chairman of the Board for the CCJU.

Fr. Moynihan acted as emcee for the evening and began by briefly describing the history between Christians and Jews since the 1965 document, Nostra Aetate, was issued, and the outpouring of Catholic and Protestant Christian documents which rejected any anti-Semitism or teaching of contempt. Among many events, he highlighted the 1986 visit of Pope John Paul II to the Great Synagogue in Rome, the 1993 formal diplomatic recognition of the State of Israel by the Vatican, and the pilgrimage by Pope John Paul II to Jerusalem where in 2000 he prayed at the Western Wall, and visited the Holocaust memorial at Yad Vashem. His visit was called by the Prime Minister Barak, “the climax of this historic journey of healing.”

Bishop Lori offered an invocation and was followed by Dr. Cernera who remembered with gratitude the pioneers of the movement for interreligious dialogue, especially between the Christian and Jewish faiths, who took risks and worked for a better world. A cofounder of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding, Dr. Cernera said, “For the past decade, the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding of Sacred Heart University has done a remarkable job and has drawn together thousands of people to focus on current religious thinking within Judaism and Christianity and provide forums for dialogue and understanding. There is evidence everywhere that our dreams are steadily being realized—even in the midst of considerable forces that would seek to silence dialogue. This incredible progress is almost unbelievable, but essential as we honor God's command to repair the world.”

Rabbi Joseph H. Ehrenkranz, executive director of the CCJU, also offered some remarks and recalled some of his meetings with Pope John Paul II including April 1994, September 1997, March 2000, and in January 2002, at the Day for Peace in the World in Assisi. He said, “As I look around me, I think that the relationship between Christians and Jews is the best it has been since the beginning of their 2,000-year relationship. For almost 40 years since the 1965 Vatican II document, Nostra Aetate, Jews and Christians have grown in understanding, mutual respect and trust. And yet, never before has there been so much need for dialogue between religions and nations.”

Turning then to Ambassador Nicholson, Rabbi Ehrenkranz said, “Tonight's distinguished honoree reminds us that progress is possible, but the world we live in and the city that hosts us, reminds us that it is not inevitable, nor is it won without heroic effort. Only honest and respectful dialogue can resolve frustration and hatred and lead us to greater understanding and harmony around the world. R. James Nicholson, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Vatican, is an exemplary leader who fosters the work of interreligious dialogue and peace. By protecting the rights and dignity of all, his efforts help to ensure that the world will be a better place for the next generation.”

The recipient of the Nostra Aetate Award and the featured speaker of the evening, Ambassador Nicholson had distinguished himself as a public servant as chairman of the Volunteers of America in Colorado, which is the largest faith-based social service agency in the Rocky Mountain States. He also chaired the Community Concerns Committee of the Denver Bar Association, provided leadership and service to the Listen Foundation and the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, and many other non-profit endeavors. Ambassador Nicholson is legendary in his tireless work as a fundraiser, political strategist and Chairman of the Republican National Committee. In 1999, he was inducted as a Knight of Malta, one of the highest honors awarded to a Roman Catholic. In 2000, he was given the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, recognizing his achievements from humble beginnings to a position of success, which has enabled him to serve others in America who are less fortunate. Among community honors, Irish America Magazine has named him one of the top 100 Irish Americans in the US. On August 10, 2001, he was sworn in as the sixth United States of America Ambassador to the Holy See.

In his acceptance remarks, Ambassador Nicholson said that his primary job was “to listen, learn and report, and also try to affect some change.” He also spoke of a famous olive tree that stands in the gardens of Vatican City as a memorial of the first anniversary of diplomatic relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See. He said, “An olive tree is not only a symbol of peace and strength, but it is also a tree that lasts for generations producing fruit and oil, products that enrich our lives. This symbolism also applies to the Jewish-Christian relationship—strong, fruitful and enriching of our lives.”

The Ambassador praised the efforts of the Vatican and the pope especially in the promotion of educational and moral values, and for sponsoring joint efforts that relate to social justice and human rights issues such as helping the poor and homeless, health care, immigration, violence, and hunger. He also decried the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and the symbols of Judaism including synagogues that had been attacked.

Ambassador Nicholson described the relationship of the Vatican and the United States as “partners in promoting the values of freedom—especially religious freedom, democracy, human rights, peace and justice, and prosperity.” He also expressed his belief that “Jews, too, can now look to the Holy See as a partner to combat anti-Semitism, to promote shared values, to actuate common tenets of belief, to understand more completely the revelation found in the scriptures, and to bring the light of truth to the sometimes murky history of Christian-Jewish relations. . . . Now, partners do not always have to agree with each other on everything, but they do have to understand each other, to be respectful, to allow the other to be fully who they are.”

In a warm endorsement, the Ambassador congratulated the Center on it 10th anniversary and affirmed its critical role in fostering dialogue and greater understanding between religious faiths. He said, “My personal observation is that this is a great Center that is making a significant difference in the world. You provide a national and international forum for dialogue in order to advance greater knowledge. God knows, and since September 11th, we all know the critical need for more love, less hatred, and the acceptance of each other's theological views. Given the technology and mobility of mass destruction that exists today, what you are doing is so important, even more important probably than when you started it 10 years ago.”

After dinner, Rabbi David H. Lincoln of the Park Avenue Synagogue, offered a benediction and prayer for understanding and peace.

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The Honorable, Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, was not able to attend the evening but sent a letter which read:

Dear Friends:

It is a great pleasure to welcome everyone gathered for the 7th Nostra Aetate Awards Ceremony and Dinner of the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding. I am delighted to join with you this evening to honor U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, R. James Nicholson and to celebrate the Center's 10 years of service to the community.

On behalf of the City of New York, I congratulate Ambassador Nicholson upon receiving this distinguished award and commend his significant contributions to the community. In addition, I recognize all those associated with the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding for your commitment to encouraging dialogue amongst members of the clergy, scholars, theologians and educators to create a better understanding between the Christian and Jewish people. Your efforts on behalf of communities throughout the world to foster a better understanding of our differences set a wonderful example for us all. I hope you take this time to reflect on the important role you have played in improving the quality of life for so many and look to the future for new challenges and opportunities.

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Named for the 1965 Vatican II document that opened the doors of dialogue and mutual respect between Christians and Jews, the Nostra Aetate Award is given to outstanding individuals who are known and respected for their commitment to interreligious dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation. Past recipients of the award have been Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, Rabbi Marc A. Gellman and Monsignor Thomas J. Hartman of “The God Squad,”
Reverend Remi E. Hoeckman, O.P., Cardinal William H. Keeler, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, Cardinal John O'Connor, Rabbi A. James Rudin, Rabbi Rene-Samuel Sirat, Bishop Krister Stendahl and Rabbi Mordecai Waxman.

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