archives

Kenya's current slide into ethnic violence, which so far has generated 100,000 refugees and left more than 300 dead, ought to be a subject of grave concern for global Christianity, and not just for the obvious humanitarian and geostrategic reasons. In a real sense, nothing less than the destiny of Christianity in the 21st century is at stake.

Interview with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Published by Famiglia Cristiana, January 2008
Conducted by Alberto Bobbio

After the pope himself, the Secretary of State is the second most powerful figure in the Vatican and, at least arguably, in the global Catholic Church. The present occupant of the position, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 73, recently sat down for a year-end interview with Famiglia Cristiana, a leading Italian weekly. Bertone discussed a wide range of issues, beginning with Italy and extending to Benedict XVI’s recent document on the Latin Mass, relations with Israel and China, ecumenism, dialogue with Islam, the United Nations and Benedict’s upcoming trip to the United States, and Bertone’s hopes for greater cooperation among Catholic media outlets and NGOs. The following is an NCR translation of the interview.