In Memoriam: Rev. Thomas Stransky, C.S.P., rector emeritus of Ecumenical Institute | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › In Memoriam: Rev. Thomas Stransky, C.S.P., rector emeritus of Ecumenical Institute In Memoriam: Rev. Thomas Stransky, C.S.P., rector emeritus of Ecumenical Institute Published: September 05, 2019 Author: Dennis Brown Rev. Thomas F. Stransky, C.S.P. poses for a photo with University of Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. (left) and Notre Dame Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Notebaert after being awarded an honorary doctorate at the 2015 Commencement ceremony. Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame. Rev. Thomas Stransky, C.S.P., rector emeritus of the Ecumenical Institute at the University of Notre Dame at Tantur, died Monday (Sept. 3), his 89th birthday, in Totowa, New Jersey. “Father Stransky’s contributions to religious dialogue and unity were immense, including his leadership of our Ecumenical Institute,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame’s president. “We join with the Paulist community in mourning his passing while redoubling efforts to deepen understanding and foster dialogue — as he did — among believers of all faiths.”  The Ecumenical Institute is a Jerusalem-based center of theological scholarship and learning that was founded more than 50 years ago by Pope Paul VI, who turned administration of the institute over to Notre Dame. In addition to its academic programs, the institute promotes dialogue and exchange among Christian denominations as well as other religions, especially Jews and Muslims. Father Stransky led the institute from 1988 to 1999 and continued on the staff until 2008. He received an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 2015 for his work as a “bridge-builder of unusual intellectual courage” who “guided the Catholic Church’s historic deliberations on the deepening of its relationship first to the Jewish people, and then to all non-Christian believers.” A native of Milwaukee, Father Stransky was ordained a Paulist priest in 1957. As a young staff member of the Vatican’s Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity, he played an instrumental role in the writing of one of the Second Vatican Council’s most important documents, the 1965 Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, also known as “Nostra Aetate.” Considered one of the most eminent ecumenists in the Catholic Church, Father Stransky served as president of the Paulist fathers from 1970 to 1978, leading the community that was founded in the 19th century with the mission of converting America to Catholicism away from an openly proselytizing stance toward other Christians and toward an emphasis on mutual respect and theological exchange as the most effective means of attaining Christian unity. Arrangements are pending. Posted In: University News Faculty and Staff Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related August 15, 2022 Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., on Russian atrocities against clergy in Ukraine July 22, 2022 Roxanne Gregg named executive director of Notre Dame TRIO programs July 21, 2022 Notre Dame makes historic compensation investment, surpassing $75 million June 22, 2022 Office of Information Technologies names assistant vice presidents May 26, 2022 Heather Christophersen, Anne Griffith appointed to VP positions For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn