RETIRED Cardinal Edward Cassidy has congratulated the Brisbane College of Theology (BCT) for enshrining much of the ecumenical spirit which he tried to promote as head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome.
He was speaking at the ecumenical college’s 20th anniversary graduation, held in the grounds of the Kelvin Grove Campus of the Queensland University of Technology on May 30.
A total of 46 students, from the three BCT member colleges ‘ St Paul’s (Catholic), St Francis (Anglican) and Trinity (Uniting Church) ‘ graduated in theology or ministry on the night.
Cardinal Cassidy noted that, for the Catholic Church, the importance of an ecumenical dimension to theological education was first recognised officially by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s in its Decree on Ecumenism.
‘Experience over the almost 40 years since the council has shown how vital it is for students of theology to have a solid introduction to ecumenism and then to have mastered a theology that has been taught with due regard to the ecumenical point of view,’ he said.
Cardinal Cassidy said all BCT graduates would hopefully become enthusiastic agents of ecumenism.
He said Australia was already held in high esteem for its contribution to international ecumenical dialogue.
A 20th anniversary dinner followed the graduation.
