Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) president has thanked the retiring Vatican secretary of state and welcomed his replacement.

“On behalf of the bishops of Canada, I extend to you our heartfelt thanks for your years of faithful service to the Universal Church in your capacity as secretary of state,” Archbishop Richard Smith, the CCCB president, wrote outgoing Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in Sept. 3 letter.

In a Sept. 3 letter to the incoming secretary of state, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Smith extended the Canadian bishops’ congratulations and “pledge of fraternal support” on his nomination.