Bethlehem
Ewert Cousins, a world-renowned theologian and pioneer in interreligious dialogue who brought Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Buddhists together at gatherings around the globe, from the United Nations to the University of Madras, died on May 30, 2009. He was 81.

Eager to deepen understanding among the world's religions, Cousins organized numerous conferences to bring members of different faiths together in dialogue. In 1975, he coordinated the Spiritual Summit Conference at the United Nations, the first time religious leaders spoke from the podium of the General Assembly.

In 1998 Cousins co-founded the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality to promote peace and cross-cultural understanding; commission members include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Wangari Maathai.

One of Cousins' greatest contributions was making the touchstone texts of Western religions accessible to a wide audience. Together with Richard Payne, he conceived of and edited the Classics of Western Spirituality, a groundbreaking, 107-volume series. Cousins' own translation of the writings of St. Bonaventure was one of the series' bestsellers. Cousins was also the general editor of the 25-volume series World Spirituality: An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest and the author of Christ of the 21st Century and Bonaventure and the Coincidence of Opposites.

Cousins was born and raised in New Orleans, a city whose pageantry and festivity he carried with him throughout his life. At the age of 18, he joined the Society of Jesus. He completed his PhD in Philosophy at Fordham

University and joined the faculty of the Theology Department in 1962, where he taught for forty years. His primary field was medieval theology, and he was especially esteemed for his work on Franciscan spirituality and his writings on St. Bonaventure.

Cousins was admired as much for his kindness as his brilliance. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and gentle friend. He was predeceased by his first wife Kathryn McCambridge, and survived by his second wife Janet Kvamme Cousins, son Hilary, daughters Sara and Emily, and six grandchildren.

The Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 2 School St., is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: Donations may be made to VNA Northwest, 607 Bantam Road, Bantam, CT 06750.

Cemetery: Carmel Hill Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A funeral mass will be held on Saturday June 6 at 11: 00am at the Church of the Nativity, East St., Bethlehem.

Visitation: Calling hours will be held on Friday June 5 from 6: 30 to 8: 30 at the Church of the Nativity.