Cardinal Bertone says time as Secretary of State was positive

Last updated on: September 3, 2013 at 10:11 pm by CNA Daily News

Cardinal Bertone says time as Secretary of State was positive 2013-09-03T22:11:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Sep 3, 2013 / 04:11 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has offered a positive assessment of his nearly seven year-long tenure as Vatican Secretary of State, which will come to an end this October.

According to L’Osservatore Romano, the cardinal spoke to reporters after a recent Mass in Sicily to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Tears.

“Cardinal Bertone wished to remember and underscore the important foundations that have inspired and sustained his service at the Secretariat of State – including a harmonious relationship between faith and reason, between law and natural law, between tradition and modernity – and to also recall memorable events such as the World Youth Days of Sydney and Madrid with Benedict XVI and Rio de Janeiro with Pope Francis,” the publication said.

“My assessment of these seven years is positive,” said Cardinal Bertone, according to Italian news agency Ansa.

“Naturally there have been many problems, especially during the last two years in which I was the target of accusations,” he said, referencing a “network of crows and vipers.”

“But this should not obscure what I think it is a positive assessment,” he continued.

“Sometimes there are prejudices,” the cardinal continued. “An honest assessment cannot fail to take into account the fact that the Secretary of State is the Pope’s primary collaborate, a faith and loyal executor of the tasks entrusted to him. This was something I have done and will continue to do.”

The Secretary of State “works with five others as a team, and it is a wonderful group that works well together,” Cardinal Bertone said.

“I have always given my all,” he stated, “but I surely have my defects. If I had to think of certain moments, I would have acted differently, but that does not mean I have not strived to serve the Church.”

The cardinal will step down from the position of Secretary of State on Oct. 15, when Vatican diplomat Archbishop Pietro Parolin will take over after being appointed to the post by Pope Francis on Aug. 31.

Europe

Previous Post

September 3, 2013

Students of Benedict XVI gather for Mass, annual dialogue

Next Post

September 4, 2013 Okla. 'thrill kill' denounced as rejection of human dignity

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter 1, what does Peter say is more valuable than gold?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Wisdom Righteousness Charity Faith