Mission:
To assist the Bishop in fostering the most effective relationships among the people of this Diocese and the people of other faiths, in order to encourage the mutual spiritual growth that leads toward the fullness of unity in Christ and toward productive interreligious affairs --Commission Mission Statement
This department is unique in that its mission and outreach is primarily the “other” – However, the office and the Commission are available upon request for programs. The Director, for example, has presented “Islam 101” over 80 times in parishes and other communities throughout the Diocese. The office publishes a semi-annual newsletter, “Oikoumene,” which provides resources, quotes, and Church teaching on ecumenism/interfaith affairs. The Commission published a booklet, “Rooted in Faith: A Guide to Ecumenical and Interreligious Prayer and Service to the Community,” sent to parishes and copies available. We have dialogue committees: Orthodox/Jewish/Muslim. The Director teaches Ecumenism and Interfaith for our lay ministry formation programs and for other Diocesan continuing education programs, upon request. We publish a column in The Evangelist, “Our Neighbor’s Faith.”
Diocesan Commission
Rev. James Kane, Director
Commission members
Mr. David Amico, Chairperson & Liaison, Office of Lay Ministry and Parish Faith Formation
Mr. Peter Crasto-Donnelly
Mr. Edward Falterman
Ms. Karen Bond
Mrs. Kathleen Kerrigan Duff, Jewish-Catholic Dialogue
Mrs. Joan Lipscomb
Rev. David Mickiewicz, Liaison to Orthodox Dialogue
Deacon Walter Ayres
Ms. Phyllis Cardona
Deacon Ron Dombrowski
Sr. Judith Kapp, RSM
Mrs. Anne Snyder
Mr. Frank Pell, Communications/Our Neighbors’ Faith
Mrs. Lynn Waterman
Rev. William Hinrichs
Mailing Address: 40 North Main Avenue
Albany, NY 12205