New Vatican Secretary of State was 'messenger of peace'

Caracas, Venezuela, Sep 3, 2013 / 11:18 am

Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the new Vatican Secretary of State, is being praised by a Venezuelan cardinal as a "messenger of peace" for his former efforts at dialogue in the South American country.

"I think the Holy Father Francis has made a great appointment," said Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas, Venezuela.

"Archbishop Parolin is a well-prepared bishop with a great capacity to work," the cardinal explained. "He is a very intelligent man with extensive experience in the Church's international affairs, and here in Venezuela he did great work in service to the Church and to the Venezuelan people."

During his time as apostolic nuncio to Venezuela, Archbishop Parolin was a great promoter of dialogue, the cardinal said.

"He took part in the meetings between the government of Venezuela and the bishops conference, which were very positive for the country and which we hope will continue."

Proving to be "a true messenger of peace in Venezuela," the archbishop played a lead role in "difficult negotiations for the Church" with Vietnam, China and Russia, Cardinal Urosa continued.

"He acted with discretion and prudence and played an important role in the process of bringing the Church and the government together."

Archbishop Parolin "is a man of great experience in diplomacy," he added, and when Benedict XVI "decided to name appoint him as his ambassador in Caracas in 2009, I didn't think he would be here for long, as he is a man of great prestige at the Vatican."

The cardinal said Archbishop Parolin would continue to carry out his duties in Venezuela until mid-October, when he will move to the Vatican to take over for outgoing Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.