New Italian cardinal has made impact as educator, doctrinal official

Published: 2003-10-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone of Genoa has made an impact in a variety of ecclesial roles: as an educator, as the No. 2 doctrinal official at the Vatican and as head of one of Italy's biggest archdioceses. His energetic and pragmatic approach has earned him a reputation as a problem-solver over the years. The 68-year-old Salesian was one of 30 new cardinals named by Pope John Paul II in late September and received his red hat Oct. 21 at the Vatican. As secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1995 to 2002, he met many times with the pope and made important contributions to a number of documents and projects. During that time, he helped work out details of new norms to be employed in U.S. dioceses in cases of sexual abuse by priests.

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