Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez, a former trustee, chair and executive director of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, was presented the inaugural Very Rev. Thomas A. Baima Global Ethic Award at the 2023 parliament at McCormick Place on Aug. 14.

Gómez-Ibáñez was a longtime spiritual colleague of the award’s namesake,

Daniel Olsen, director of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago, received the award on behalf of Gómez-Ibáñez, who was unable to attend the ceremony.

“Today, as this award is offered, let us remember a master facilitator and consensus-builder, Father Tom Baima,” Olsen said. “Let us commit to doing our best to live up to his example, as did today’s worthy award recipient, Dr. Daniel Gómez-Ibáñez.”

Speaking from a recorded video, Gómez-Ibáñez said he was “surprised and honored” to receive the award, named in honor of “my good friend.” Gómez-Ibáñez worked with Baima, who died at the age of 69 in 2022, on preparing “Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration,” the Parliament’s signature document, for presentation to the world’s religious and spiritual leaders.

“We worked closely together in an effort that was always blessed by Tom’s incisive and persuasive logic,” he said. “I want to take this opportunity to say how much I and the world owe to Tom’s intellect, wisdom and tirelessness. I am grateful to have known him as a friend and a colleague.”

Nitin Ajmera, chairman of the board of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, said the award honors a person who has made significant contributions to the parliament’s efforts toward a global ethic. “The award honors Rev. Baima’s exemplary and inspiring work to living out the global ethic,” Ajmera said. “Rev. Baima inspired others to go forward with respect and harmony.”

Olsen thanked Ajmera, the entire board, trustees and staff of the Parliament of the World’s Religions for inaugurating the award this year.

“Father Baima was a dear friend and colleague to me and so many others, some of whom are gathered in this room today,” Olsen said. “Father Baima was a noted scholar and teacher, a capable administrator, a trusted advisor, and a respected friend and dialogue partner within the ecumenical and interreligious fabric of Chicago and beyond.” 

Baima, who served as vicar for ecumenical and interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Chicago and provost of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein University, was well known in ecumenical and interreligious communities in the archdiocese and across the country.

He shared many gifts within the Archdiocese of Chicago, but perhaps his most lasting contribution was to those outside of it, Olsen said. He was a “pioneer” in ecumenical and interreligious relations and lived his commitment to dialogue daily “in word and deed,” Olsen said.

“One day, while reliving what he called perhaps the most challenging and rewarding task of his life — namely, to get dozens of religious leaders to agree on the language for the ‘Global Ethic’ — he related that the key to the whole declaration was to ground the language outside of any one religious worldview or expression,” he said. “In a pithy way, he followed that up by saying, ‘For the document to be acceptable to all, it couldn’t be owned by just one.’” 

Baima never asked participants in the dialogue to compromise their beliefs or to be less than truthful in expressing them, Olsen said. However, he insisted they demonstrate generosity, humility and honesty in their interactions, he said.

“If they did, he had an uncanny ability to find language that spoke authentically to the truth shared,” Olsen said. “Those gathered here today know well that finding language among religious leaders which is acceptable to all is not easily done.”

Olsen called him a “consensus builder.” Baima actually enjoyed the process of carefully choosing the words for the declaration to eventually be accepted by more than 25 religions, Olsen said.

“He was one of the most brilliant men I’ve met in my life,” he said. “He loved solving puzzles and bringing people together. He was able to compromise. Everybody was happy in the end. He said the declaration was no one’s, but everyone’s. He was a builder of unity. He respected people’s differences, but always sought commonalities.”

Baima prioritized relationships over differences, Olsen said. “He brought people together and got them to see each other as religious leaders and friends,” he said. “If you’re talking to a friend, you’re willing to accept things from them. You’re willing to dialogue and allow differences. He said if you get a relationship right, everything will work itself out.”

Susan Pudelek, associate director of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the archdiocese, said she attended the 1993 Parliament of World Religions at which Baima took on the challenge of getting the world’s religious leaders to sign the declaration.

“Father Tom Baima was the key,” Pudelek said. “He was instrumental in finding the language. He did not focus on any one religion’s traditions or beliefs but succeeded by focusing on our common humanity.”

For example, Baima was able to persuade the leaders to change the title of the declaration from a “Global Ethic” to “Towards a Global Ethic,” she said. In the 30 years since, the document has been widely distributed around the world in academic and religious institutions, Pudelek said.

“People are studying it and embedding it in their local communities,” she said. “It has a tremendous foundation now. It has instilled its legacy and now we’re bringing it into the future.”