Vatican official says Dominican Sisters show vitality of U.S. church

Published: 2007-08-10

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CNS) -- Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the second highest ranking official at the Vatican, pointed to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville as an example of the vitality of the Catholic Church in the United States. Cardinal Bertone, who is secretary of state, was in Nashville to attend the 125th annual national convention of the Knights of Columbus. He took time out to celebrate Mass for the Dominican Sisters at their motherhouse Aug. 8, the feast of St. Dominic. Mother Ann Marie Karlovic said the sisters were "overwhelmed and grateful" that the cardinal, who is responsible for overseeing the work of the Roman Curia and is Pope Benedict XVI's closest collaborator, asked to visit the Dominicans while he was in Nashville. The sisters were waiting on the grounds of the motherhouse when the cardinal and his party arrived, and they greeted him with a song. The cardinal celebrated Mass in the sisters' new chapel, which was part of a $45 million renovation and expansion of the motherhouse completed less than two years ago.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .