c. 2007 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) “The end of an era.”

That’s what entered my mind last week when I heard the distressing news that Eugene Fisher, the director of Catholic-Jewish relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops since 1977, will be taking an early retirement on July 1.

In the interests of full disclosure, Fisher has been my professional colleague and personal friend for more than 30 years, and his departure creates a large void on the interreligious scene.

His retirement comes as the bishops cut their staff by 35 percent; a sign that the clergy sexual abuse scandal and its legal costs _ now at the $2 billion mark _ are inflicting severe personal, programmatic and pastoral pain on Catholics and church institutions.

The bishops’ action comes at a moment in history when America, in a world of increasing religious extremism, seeks to become a truly multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-racial nation of 300 million people _ a society built upon mutual respect and understanding.

In 1967, two years after the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, the U.S. bishops appointed the late Rev. Edward H. Flannery to head a newly created office on Catholic-Jewish relations. Flannery, the author of the classic work, “The Anguish of the Jews,” served in that post until 1977 when he was succeeded by Fisher, a Catholic layman holding a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies.

For three decades, Fisher participated in countless interreligious programs in the U.S., Israel, the Vatican, and in other places around the world. During that time, he and I worked closely together on developing pioneering educational projects. We especially looked at teaching materials about the Jewish roots of Christianity and the need for Catholics to confront the pathology of anti-Semitism in church life: liturgy, Bible study, seminary training, Passion plays, and history. Fisher insisted that Catholics gain an accurate portrayal of Jews and Judaism.

Fisher was always there as a Catholic leader who knew and respected the global Jewish community and the state of Israel. Neither were remote theological or biblical abstractions for him, nor were they stereotypes or targets for conversion. Instead, Fisher personally experienced Jews as a living community of faith.

Reaction to news of Fisher’s early retirement was swift.

Mary Boys, a Roman Catholic nun and a professor at the (Protestant) Union Theological Seminary in New York, said: “Gene Fisher has persevered in a very difficult job … He has educated the official church about Christianity’s relationship with Judaism … It is tragic that financial problems in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops lead to his retirement; interreligious dialogue is thereby dealt a grave blow.”

Echoing her concern was the Rev. John T. Pawlikowski of Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union: “Gene Fisher has been a central figure in the implementation of `Nostra Aetate’ (the Vatican Council’s historic Declaration on Jews and Judaism) in America. His dedicated efforts these many years have left us with a series of invaluable materials for the work of reconciliation between Catholics and Jews.

“I hope the Bishops’ Conference will carry on his work … This is the best testimony they can offer to a life of dedicated service in the development of interreligious understanding that he sparked.”

Rabbi David Rosen, the American Jewish Committee’s international director of interreligious affairs, reflected the Jewish community’s respect and affection: “Eugene Fisher … had to combine … the skills of a diplomat and troubleshooter.

“Not only did he achieve great success in these roles, but he succeeded in retaining trust, friendship and respect on all sides … Dr. Fisher has prepared new ground for future generations.”

Eric Greenberg, who directs interreligious activities for the Anti-Defamation League, voiced a concern felt by both Catholics and Jews: “It’s a real loss … Gene Fisher has been the address for Catholic-Jewish relations … for more than a generation … With Pope Benedict XVI calling for increased Catholic-Jewish dialogue and activities, we hope the (bishops) will be able to continue staffing a full-time Jewish liaison to fulfill the pope’s mandate.”

If the bishops do not quickly appoint a successor to Fisher, it will be a serious setback to Catholic-Jewish relations. A long vacancy _ or worse, the elimination of the position _ will be a disservice to the extraordinary achievements of both Father Flannery and Gene Fisher.

(Rabbi Rudin, the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser, is the author of the recently published book “The Baptizing of America: The Religious Right’s Plans for the Rest of Us.”)

KRE/RB END RUDIN

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