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