Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFMwas honored posthumously Feb. 25 by the National conference of Christians and Jews in Atlanta.

Monsignor Edward J. Dillon accepted the award, which was one of three given. The other two clergymen honored were Rabbi Philip Kranz of Temple Sinai and Dr. J. Lynn White of Sandy Springs Christian Church.

The presentation of the award in honor of the late archbishop of Atlanta was given by Michael W. Trapp who said Archbishop Lyke “taught us to look beyond human frailty and beyond race and religion to treat each person dignity and respect.”

Arriving in a time of turmoil, Archbishop Lyke “urged parishioners to learn about human frailty and divine forgiveness and move on to do the work of the Church,” Trapp said. “And he provided a clear example for the church and all people of faith to follow.”

He cited the archbishop’s lifetime achievements as a black Catholic bishop serving in Cleveland and as a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, as the coordinator of African-American Catholic hymnal “Lead Me, Guide Me,” as a pastor in Memphis Tenn., active in the civil rights movement, and as a role model for young African-Americans throughout his ministry.

“His own experience with adversity, conflict and illness deepened his compassion and determination,” Trapp said.

Monsignor Dillon, accepting the award as administrator of the archdiocese, acknowledged the interfaith nature of the NCCJ and said Archbishop Lyke consciously “devoted a great deal of his time to building bridges between people and groups as a way of healing hurts.”

“His effects on the local church will be lasting,” Monsignor Dillon said.

In accepting his award, Dr. J. Lynn White of Sandy Springs Christian Church said his congregation was characterized by creativity, excellence and a commitment to love one another.

Rabbi Philip Kranz of Temple Sinai expressed strong fears about the times, saying “we live in a hate-filled world” and citing ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina as “only another word for genocide.”

“Racism, prejudice and religious intolerance are more prevalent today than at any time since the Second World War,” he asserted.

The NCCJ was founded in 1927 to work toward eliminating prejudice and to build bridges between different religious and racial and cultural groups.

The awards were given at a dinner held at the Waverly Hotel in Atlanta. A video presentation was also shown on Camp Anytown, a youth leadership program sponsored by the NCCJ in which selected young people spend a week together meeting and developing relationships with others from differing religions and ethnic backgrounds. Dr. Jimmy Harper, director of the NCCJ is Atlanta, chaired the evening.