American Friends of Vatican Library marks 25th anniversary

Published: 2006-11-01

DETROIT (CNS) -- The American Friends of the Vatican Library, an organization that raises money for special projects at the Vatican Library, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Mass and dinner in Detroit in October. The celebration took place at Sacred Heart Major Seminary Oct. 8. After the Mass, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Vatican Library, spoke about the impact the institution has had on world religious scholarship. The American Friends of the Vatican Library was co-founded in 1981 by Sister Claudia Carlen and Msgr. Francis Canfield, two librarians from the Archdiocese of Detroit. Sister Carlen, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died in 2004. She edited five volumes of papal encyclicals and other major Catholic resources. Msgr. Charles Kosanke, president of the American Friends of the Vatican Library since 1997, said the organization has 600 members in 35 states. The group has helped improve lighting in the library, added equipment and computerized the card catalog. It has also helped fund studies and scholarly work.

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