Father Casassa
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The passing of Father Charles S. Casassa, S.J., of Loyola Marymount University, commemorates an extraordinary era of interreligious relations in Los Angeles.
Father Casassa was a man of great vision and courage who was willing to take risks in order to eliminate the barriers that often separated the faith groups in our community.
In partnership with the American Jewish Committee (AJC), he defied the traditions of religious separatism that existed in the 1950s and initiated the university’s summer human relations workshops.
In the early 1970s, he joined again with the AJC in establishing the Martin Gang Institute for Intergroup Relations Training. This pioneering program continues to help managers of public and private institutions to better understand the complexity of intergroup living and to learn the skills needed to ameliorate conflict.
The close rapport that developed among those involved in interfaith work goes on today because of the enlightened and sensitive leadership of Father Casassa.
His life’s work stands as a testament to the goal he enunciated for us of making this community a better place for the diverse groups who live in it.
NEIL C. SANDBERG
Western Regional Director
American Jewish Committee
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