The Interfaith Center of New York mourns the death of our founder and friend, The Very Rev. James Parks Morton. A pioneer in the areas of interfaith work, peace-building, and environmental stewardship, Morton created an organization for hundreds of grassroots faith leaders from a wide range of religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions including the African Diaspora, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Jewish, Hindu, Humanist, Muslim, Native American, Shinto, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities of New York City. After September 11, 2001, Dean Morton helped focus ICNY’s work increasingly on providing assistance to immigrant and disenfranchised religious communities while also bridging the divide between the city’s religious leadership and its secular civic institution.
Before founding the Interfaith Center in 1997, The Very Reverend James Parks Morton was Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for 25 years where, in 1973, he conceived the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB) to help people rebuild, occupy, and own their own apartments. He also opened the Cathedral to the arts through artist-in-residence programs, hosting saxophonist Paul Winter, high wire artist Philippe Petit, Early Music conductor Fred Renz, I Giullari di Piazza, and the American Poets Corner. Among his interfaith activities while at the Cathedral, Dean Morton served as president of the Temple of Understanding (1995-1997), and as co-chair of the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders (1985-1993).
