Msgr. Royale M. Vadakin, Moderator of the Curia and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, last week received the C.I. Neumann Lifetime Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Jewish Committee.

The prestigious award is conferred on an individual who possesses "strong character and demonstrates moral and ethical standards in the face of adversity," and seeks to honor those who exemplify "an elegance of spirit."

The award was presented at the AJC's 59th annual meeting, held May 24 at the Beverly Hills Hotel and attended by more than 240 guests. Keynote speaker was state Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

Rabbi Alfred Wolf, a longtime friend and co-worker with Msgr. Vadakin, delivered the invocation. They were the original founders of the Jewish/Catholic Women's Conference in 1976 that continues to meet each year.

Rabbi Gary Greenebaum, the Western Regional Director for the American Jewish Committee, introduced the honoree and noted the many contributions Msgr. Vadakin has made through the years to the interreligious community of Los Angeles.

"To the best of my knowledge," Rabbi Greenebaum said, "he is the first Catholic priest to receive this award, and it is very fitting as he is one who really builds bridges. Msgr. Vadakin epitomizes what interreligious relationship can be through his sensitivity, love, care and intellectual integrity. He is the ideal person to receive this honor."

A brief list of Msgr. Vadakin's accomplishments include 20 years as director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the archdiocese; founder and co-chair of 10 bilateral dialogue committees and founding member; and former president of the Interreligious Council of Southern California. His previous awards include the Carondelet Medal from Mount St. Mary's College and the Hebrew Union College's honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Msgr. Vadakin currently serves as regent emeritus on the board of regents for Loyola Marymount University and is pastor emeritus of St. Anastasia Church in Los Angeles. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1964, and was named to his current post in January 2003.

During the ceremony he received accolades from many of the attending interreligous leaders and was accorded several standing ovations. A celebration will be scheduled soon for the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions produced by Vatican II.

Rabbi Greenebaum added that, at the conclusion of the ceremony, he was encouraged by Msgr. Vadakin's remark that "we need to keep moving" on stronger relationships among different faith traditions.