Religious Harmony

The June 30 article, which draws a portrait of Bishop Robert H. Brom of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego (“Portrait of a Bishop”), is an appropriately upbeat and laudatory one. Since Bishop Brom arrived in San Diego, he has won the affection and support of many in the community, including the leaders of the Jewish community.

The article, however, does not do what I would consider appropriate justice to the efforts of the late Bishop Leo Maher to bring about reconciliation between the Jewish and Catholic communities. It was under Bishop Maher’s leadership that the Anti-Defamation League and the Catholic Diocese initiated a yearlong series of meetings and programs, which culminated in Bishop Maher’s presentation to the Jewish community, which took place at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, and a reciprocal visit by Jewish leaders to the Church of the Immaculata.

In addition, in the story it is suggested that I drew a negative comparison between Bishop Maher and Bishop Brom and suggested that Bishop Maher was somehow imbued with a sense of self-importance. What, in effect, I suggested was that what struck leaders of the Jewish community who met with Bishop Brom was his openness and friendliness.

Bishop Maher was always willing to meet with leaders of the Jewish community and, in fact, did so on a number of occasions to discuss sensitive issues. Both individuals are and were different.

The Anti-Defamation League, and indeed the Jewish community in San Diego were proud of the relationship they had with Bishop Maher. We all look forward to developing an ongoing and close relationship with Bishop Brom.

MORRIS S. CASUTO, Director, Anti-Defamation League