Father Lawrence Frizzell, an associate professor of Judaeo-Christian studies at Seton Hall University and director of its Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies, has died. He was 86.
Please see an in-depth autobiographical interview with Father Lawrence Frizzell from 2024. Read Father Frizzell’s obituary. The Funeral Mass will be held on May 8 at Our Lady of Sorrows parish in New Jersey. The Mass will be livestreamed.
Born in Calgary, Lawrence Frizzell moved to Ghost Pine Creek, with his family from Huxley in 1953 with his parents Walter and Angela and siblings, Jean, Dick, Dennis, and David. Angela taught school at the Lumni school until it closed in 1959. They were members of St. Theresa, Lumni parish.
His father, Walter, despite his arthritis, managed the home and cooking. The family then moved into Three Hills, and in 1960 to Picture Butte. In 1961 they moved to Calgary where his mother taught at Holy Trinity School until she retired.
Lawrence attended high school at Our Lady of Pontmain Catholic School in Trochu and he stayed at the rectory with the priests. He then entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton. He completed his philosophy courses there and was sent to St Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa for his theology courses and was ordained a priest in Calgary on June 2, 1962. In that same year, he earned a Licence in Sacred Theology at the University of Ottawa.
Father Frizzell spent several summers as assistant Padre in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He studied in Rome, Greece, and the Holy Land: returning to St. Joseph as a professor.
From 1962 to 1964, Father Frizzell was a professor of canon law and liturgy at St. Joseph’s Seminary. After studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Oxford University, Father Frizzell joined the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies and Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
He continued to teach at Seton Hall there until his death. He travelled extensively, giving lectures in the Western world and in Japan. He returned to Edmonton many summers to teach a course at St. Joseph’s and he spent time visiting his family and friends.
Father Frizzell was a prolific writer and lectured widely on interreligious dialogue. And also his international appointments on behalf of the Vatican: In 2008 Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father Frizzell Consultor to the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews in the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and Pope Francis renewed his appointment in 2014.
In a personal reflection, Father Frizzell said he worked with Monsignor John M. Oesterreicher, the founding director of the Institute of Judaeo-Christian Studies and Rabbi Asher Finkel to develop a unique curriculum.
“Today, it still serves as a model for eliminating prejudice through understanding. In 1993 I became director of the IJCS, which promotes peace-building among people of all faiths through: Educational programs Interreligious and scholarly exchanges public forums.
“Besides this work, I am also the moderator of the radio program, The Kinship of Catholics & Jews. We broadcast this show every Sunday at 11 a.m. on Seton Hall’s WSOU FM 89.5. The show’s aim is to promote the shared values of Christians and Jews.”
Father Frizzell continued: “My academic area of specialty is Jewish-Christian studies and relations. I also enjoy exploring ecumenical issues and the impact of Biblical traditions on Catholic liturgy, prayer and ethics.”