Willebrands is dead

Dutch cardinal Johannes Willebrands, a driving force behind improved Catholic relations with other Christians and with Jews, died in Denekamp, The Netherlands, on August 2 at the age of 96.

Attracted to the topic of ecumenism while still a seminarian in the 1920s, the cardinal was named First Secretary of the Vatican's office for promoting Christian unity in 1960 and served as president of the office from 1969 to 1989.

Before, during and after the Second Vatican Council, he also was instrumental in fostering improved relations with Jewish leaders.

When the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews was established in 1974, he was appointed president.

Simultaneously, Cardinal Willebrands served as archbishop of Utrecht, The Netherlands, between 1975 and 1983, travelling back and forth between his offices at the Vatican and The Netherlands.

Cardinal Willebrands was the oldest member of the College of Cardinals; his death leaves the college with 190 members, 120 of whom are under 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave.

Retired Australian Cardinal Edward I. Cassidy, who succeeded Cardinal Willebrands as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said his predecessor was "the driving force behind Catholic ecumenism" for over 60 years.

Rabbi David Rosen, president of the International Jewish Committee for Inter-religious Relations, said that it was under Cardinal Willebrands' leadership that "the Catholic-Jewish relationship was institutionalised in a way we take for granted today."

Born on September 4, 1909, in Bovenkarspel, The Netherlands, he studied at the Warmond seminary before being ordained to the priesthood in 1934.

Pope Paul VI named him a bishop in 1964 and a cardinal in 1969.

May he rest in peace.