AJC Mourns Death of Cardinal O'Connor

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 5 May 2000

The American Jewish Committee today expressed deep sadness with the death of John Cardinal O'Connor.

The following statement was issued from the American Jewish Committee Annual Meeting, which is convening in Washington this week:

"The American Jewish Committee deeply mourns the death of His Eminence, John Cardinal O'Connor, and we extend our profound sympathy to the Archdiocese of New York. His remarkable leadership in building human bridges of solidarity between Catholics and Jews is indelible.

"The Cardinal was at the forefront in the struggle to free Soviet Jews, to eradicate every vestige of anti-Semitism, to commemorate the Holocaust, and to establish diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the State of Israel.

"In 1990 the AJC proudly presented Cardinal O'Connor with the Isaiah Interreligious Award, and during his distinguished tenure as New York's Archbishop, the Cardinal worked closely with us on a host of issues including healing the wounds of war in the Balkans and strengthening human rights throughout the world.

"Most of all, we will always remember the Cardinal's warm smile, his exquisite sense of grace and humor, his constant wise counsel, and his esteem for Judaism and the Jewish people. We will sorely miss him. May the memory of this extraordinary man of faith forever be a blessing."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org