Learn More about Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS

Crossin-Oblate Family Partnership

Honoring Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS, Ph.D
1947-2023
Oblate Priest, Theologian, Ecumenist

What is the Crossin-Oblate Family Partnership?

The family of Fr. Crossin, together with his Oblate brothers and colleagues in the ecumenical world, have joined together to honor his life’s work. Since Fr. John’s passing, a partnership has been formed to promote his publications and continue the ecumenical dialogue to which he dedicated this life.

We look forward to sharing Fr. John’s work through these initiatives:

• Regular book reviews and distribution of Fr. John’s most recent book, Moving into the Ecumenical Future (purchase here)

• Featuring Fr. John’s work at a The Ecumenical Future: Symposium at Washington Theological Consortium (April 18, 2024)

• Oblate high schools’ ecumenism and unity essay contest

• Establishment of a grant for seminarians to host an ecumenical program at the parish level

• Publication of a Festschriff containing academic articles focused on key themes of Fr. John’s research

“Fr. Crossin, ecumenical expert and US bishops' former advisor, dies at 75,” National Catholic Reporter,

Articles by Fr. Crossin

“What is Salesian Friendship?” A series of essays on Spiritual Friendship

“Will Christian Unity Come Sooner Than We Think,” Ecumenical Trends, 51/1 (January/February 2022):18-23,

“Moving into the Ecumenical Future,” Louvain Studies 44(2021): 152-172.

“Moral Actions: The Person Acting and Pope Francis,” Ecumenical Trends 47/5 (May 2018): 7-10, 14-15.

“Occasional Reflections on the Declaration on the Way,” Ecumenical Trends 46/6 (June 2017): 1-3.

“Ecumenical Reflections on Moral Discernment,” Journal of Ecumenical Studies (Fall 2015): 561-82.

“The Church: Towards a Common Vision,” Ecumenical Trends 43/10 (November 2014):2-4.

“Prudence and the Future: An Ecumenically Shaped Ethic,” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 45:3 (Summer 2010): 426-32

“Christian Identities: Necessary but not Sufficient,” Ecumenical Trends 38/2 (February 2009):17-18, 30.

“Ecumenical Relationships and Dialogue Today: Insights from the Salesian Tradition,” in Human Encounter in the Salesian Tradition (Rome: International Commission for Salesian Studies, 2007): 409-424.

“What Does God Want Us to Do? A Meditation on Discernment,” Ecumenical Trends 36/10 (November 2007):145-149.

“Love for the Poor: God’s Love for the Poor and the Church’s Witness to It” co-authored with Shaun Casey, Eric H. Crump, A. Katherine Grieb, Beverly Mitchell and Ann K. Riggs for the National Council of Churches of Christ, 2005.

“Virtue as an Ecumenical Ethic,” Ecumenical Trends (February 2005): 28-31.

“Salesian Mysticism,” Review for Religious 62/2 (2003): 144-52.

“Reflections on Salesian Anthropology” in With Mind and Heart Renewed: A Festschrift for John F. Harvey, OSFS (Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 2001).

“A Meditation on Humility,” in We Are All Brothers-3: A collection of essays in honor of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos, Ed. Jack Figel (Fairfax, VA: Eastern Christian Publications, 2007): 181-91.

“The Holy Spirit: Ecumenical Reflections,” in Seminary Ridge Review (Autumn 2006):5-11. [This is an address given at the Opening Academic Convocation of Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary.]

[19th Annual] Bernardin Lecture on Jewish-Catholic relations

Article on Fr. John’s newest book: Christian unity may not be so far off, says former head of bishops’ ecumenical office

Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, Explores the Ecumenical Future

While praying on a retreat at Trappist Monastery (Holy Cross Abbey) in Winchester, Virginia, Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, felt a strong calling.  A theologian and author, he has two decades of expertise and knowledge in the areas of ecumenism but on retreat, he felt compelled to explore ecumenical ethics further. 

Father Crossin recalls his self-reflection during the retreat, “We (different Christian groups) will always differ on issues of personal morality and we haven’t dialogued on this as we have on other topics, so why not rely on the Holy Spirit?”

Thus, Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm of Christian Ethics was born.  This book provides a common framework in approaching moral issues.  Father Crossin reminds us that the Pope invites tension and disagreement so we can come to a common understanding.  In the book, Father Crossin reflects on the moral debates and issues between Christians and invites readers to prayer and dialogue on these.  

Structured around ten fundamental pillars, Father Crossin explores foundational influences and how they contribute to the understanding of Christian ethics. The text begins with the Holy Spirit as Father Crossin believes all Christian traditions should rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Subsequent chapters consider pastoral input, the teaching and example of Jesus, biblical teachings, and our relationships with God and one another in developing paradigms for ecumenical ethics. 

There are echoes of Salesian Spirituality throughout the entire book.  Father Crossin explains that he considers Saint Francis de Sales’ lessons appropriate for dialogue on ecumenical ethics, specifically, his encouragement to be gentle, to be in dialogue and that the will is more important than the intellect. There is also a section dedicated to Salesian Spirituality.  This is the focus because, Crossin explains, spirituality is a foundation of morality. It provides an area of discussion where one can meet another with differing views with respect and grounds for convincing.  The book seeks reconciliation between Protestants and Catholics, and Salesian Spirituality, through its gentleness, practicality, and humility, can lead to the coming together of two opposing sides.  When Saint Francis de Sales dealt with those who held different positions he treated them (and everyone) all in the image of God.  Father Crossin encourages our discussions on Christian ethics to follow this model of being gentle and charitable to those with which we may disagree.  

Father Crossin, OSFS, entered the Oblates in 1965 and has served in ecumenical work for over 20 years.  He is the former Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and holds a Ph.D. in Moral Theology from The Catholic University of America.  His publications include books related to virtue ethics and numerous articles on Salesian Spirituality.  He also served as Director of the Washington Theological Consortium, Director of the Spiritual Formation program at Saint Luke Institute, and President of De Sales School of Theology.  Father Crossin has worked with other religions and Christians spending five years on the road traveling to conferences.  

Father John W. Crossin, OSFS

He sees this book as an extension of his two decades of work in ecumenism. He recognizes that achieving full agreement on Christian ethics will probably never occur but he hopes his book makes a contribution and says, “Who knows what the Holy Spirit will do if we prayerfully consider all this?” 

He says he considers this publication a starting place for ecumenical studies and a foundation for discussion for international dialogue to dive deeper in ecumenical studies.  “I hope in reading this book others will see some light and it will help bring us together, which is Jesus’ will at the Last Supper; that we be one.”  

Father Crossin said he wants “to help build relations between opposing sides by providing biblical and pastoral models to ecumenical studies as well as Salesian views on this topic.”  A review by Kathryn Johnson, former Director for Ecumenical Relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America suggests he achieved this. She said, "This is a book of hope and summons. Where many despair that differences on moral teaching must inhibit ecumenical growth, John Crossin musters multidisciplinary hosts of resources to root dialogical openness at the heart of mature Christian life. Then, as a moral theologian, he proposes steps forward on the way toward unifying (while appropriately diverse) witness on the unavoidable matters of how to live--all with humility, love, and trust in the Spirit of God.”

To purchase the book click on: Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm of Christian Ethics