Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS, 1947-2023

REV. JOHN W. CROSSIN, OSFS

Oblate Priest, Theologian, Ecumenist

With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, we announce that our brother, Rev. John W. Crossin, OSFS, died at the age of 75, on May 12, 2023, after a brief illness.

Fr. Crossin was a professed member of the Oblate community for 56 years and a priest for 47 years.  A teacher, theologian, author and scholar, Fr. Crossin was an expert in the field of Christian ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.  His scholarship also focused on ethics, virtue and friendship.

John was born on May 17, 1947, in Philadelphia, the oldest of four children of John William and Marie (Astley) Crossin.  He attended Father Judge High School in Philadelphia and joined the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales after graduation in 1965.  John had been a scholar and athlete at Judge and declined several scholarships, including to the University of Pennsylvania, to enter religious life.  John made   his First Profession of vows in 1967 and his Perpetual Profession of vows in 1971.  For his apostolic internship, John taught Math at Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia.

John earned a B.S., summa cum laude, in Mathematics at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (now DeSales University).  He also earned an M.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Psychology from The Catholic University of America.  Fr. John was ordained a priest on May 15, 1976, at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Philadelphia.  Subsequently, Fr. Crossin taught religion at Salesianum School in Wilmington for a year.  In 1982, John received his Ph.D. in Moral Theology from Catholic University. 

Throughout the 1980s, Fr. John was on the faculty and formation team at the Oblate seminary in Washington, D.C., and served as religious superior. In 1987, Fr. Crossin became President of the De Sales School of Theology.

In 1999, Fr. John was appointed the Executive Director of the Washington Theological Consortium, where he served for the next fourteen years.  During this time he also taught at several theological schools, including Catholic University, Wesley Theological Seminary, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary.

From 2012 to 2017, Fr. John served as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington, D.C.   During this time, Fr. John was a visiting fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University, President of the North American Academy of Ecumenists and a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity at the Vatican.  In the latter capacity, Fr. Crossin was a member of the Pontifical Council’s team for the Joint Working Group with the World Council of Churches. 

Fr. John served on the boards of many organizations in the Church and in his religious community.  He was the Assistant General Treasurer for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a member of the Province Planning Committee and the Province Vocations Committee, and was twice elected a Provincial Counselor of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province. 

Upon completing his term at the USCCB, Fr. Crossin became Director of Spiritual Formation at the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland.   Subsequently, Fr. John had a research sabbatical during which he wrote his latest book, Moving into the Ecumenical Future:  Foundations of a Paradigm for Christian Ethics (published in 2022).   In addition to this title, Fr. Crossin is also the author of the following books:   What Are They Saying About Virtue (1985), Walking in Virtue: Moral Decisions and Spiritual Growth in Daily Life (1998), Everyday Virtues (2002), and Friendship: The Key to Spiritual Growth (2014). Throughout his long career, Fr. Crossin contributed numerous articles to many theological and ecumenical journals.

Recognized as a national leader in ecumenism, Fr. John was the recipient of the Interfaith Bridge Builders Award of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, the Pillar of Faith Award of the Howard University School of Divinity/United Church of Christ and the Washington Theological Consortium Ecumenical Award. He was also a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, the Society of Christian Ethics, and the Thomas More Society of Washington.  Fr. John also served on the board of De Sales University and on the Ethics Committee at Providence Hospital in D.C.

Throughout his many years in the Washington/Northern Virginia area, Fr. Crossin ministered on weekends at Annunciation Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Washington, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Vienna, Virginia, and St. John Neumann Parish community in Reston, Virginia.  Fr. John retired to Reston in 2022 so that he could concentrate on his writing and assist in the parish.

He also continued to be a beloved spiritual director to many people in the area, including the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales and members of the Cursillo community.

Fr. Crossin is preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his Oblate confreres, his brother James (Kathy), his brother Robert (Barbara), his sister Ann Larkin (Joseph) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Fr. John lived a life dedicated to living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, the gentleman saint.  He brought the lessons and inspiration of Francis into his academic and pastoral work.  He was passionate about exploring the breadth of the Christian faith and finding common ground with all faiths.  In reflecting on his most recent book, Fr. John was most optimistic that it may be the foundation for an international dialogue about ecumenical studies. He reflected, “I hope this book will help bring us together, which is Jesus’ will at the Last Supper; pray that we be one.” 

An educator throughout his life, in his final weeks, Fr. John taught us how to live in the present moment. May he experience the fullness of God’s presence, which he saw revealed in Scripture, the Church and Salesian Spirituality. May he rest in peace.

Arrangements:

The wake for Fr. Crossin will be held on Wednesday, May 17 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at St. John Neumann Parish Community in Reston, Virginia, followed by Mass of Christian Burial 3:00 pm.  A reception will follow the Mass.

Another viewing will be held at the Oblate Retirement Residence in Childs, Maryland, on Thursday, May 18.  Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Burial will follow in the Oblate Cemetery.

 Condolences may be sent to: 

Mr. and Mrs. Robert & Barbara Crossin

140 New Road

Southampton, PA  18966

In memory of Father Crossin’s life and legacy, donations may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916-0087 or here.