At an event celebrating the Catholic Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue, St Mary’s University, London, awarded the St Mary’s Medal to Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald M.Afr., OBE, and Archbishop Kevin McDonald. The medals were presented by Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and Chair of Governors of the University.
The awards formed part of Examining Nostra Aetate, an event held in partnership with the Diocese of Westminster reflecting on the Second Vatican Council’s landmark declaration on the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions.
Published in 1965, Nostra Aetate marked a decisive moment in the life of the Church, articulating a renewed Catholic commitment to dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect among the world’s religions, grounded in the shared dignity of all people created by God.
Introducing the awards, the Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Professor Anthony McClaran, reflected on the Catholic identity of the University and the contributions of the honourees.
“St Mary’s is a Catholic university rooted in the values that Cardinal Fitzgerald and Archbishop McDonald have expounded this evening,” he said. “We are therefore delighted to recognise their lifelong service to the Church in promoting dialogue and understanding between peoples of different faiths with the highest honour the University can bestow, the St Mary’s Medal.”
Professor McClaran thanked Cardinal Fitzgerald for the encouragement and support he has given to St Mary’s interreligious initiatives over many years.
Addressing Archbishop McDonald, he highlighted the Archbishop’s involvement in the St Mary’s Toledo Dialogues initiative and the importance of such work for the life of the Church today. “In a time marked by division and conflict,” he said, “interreligious dialogue remains an essential instrument for fostering peace, understanding, and a deeper appreciation of our shared humanity.”
Archbishop Richard Moth presented the medals in recognition of the recipients’ distinguished service to the Church and their longstanding contribution to the development of interreligious dialogue.
Earlier in the evening, Archbishop McDonald reflected on the historical and theological context in which Nostra Aetate emerged, noting that the Church’s teaching on other religions flows from a deeper understanding of the mystery and mission of the Church herself.
Cardinal Fitzgerald then delivered the keynote address on the theology of Nostra Aetate, emphasising that the Church’s engagement with other religions must be marked not by condemnation but by mercy.
“The Church,” he noted, “is called to approach others not with the language of condemnation, but with the language of mercy.”