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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Cardinal Levada is guest speaker at Bishop’s Dinner

by Christine YoungIntermountain Catholic


His Eminence William Joseph Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, is the honored guest speaker.
IC photo by Christine Young



SALT LAKE CITY — “The Annual Bishop’s Dinner for the benefit of the Cathedral of the Madeleine also coincides with the Centennial some 100 years ago,”

said Msgr. Joseph M. Mayo, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine at the Bishop’s Dinner held at the Grand Hotel Aug. 15.

“The faith and service of the cathedral has been something that has been most commendable to all of us, from past generations who have gone before us, and given us so much heritage to embrace this evening,” said Msgr. Mayo.

“It is my pleasure on this most unique evening to welcome His Eminence William Joseph Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from Rome, who has graced us with his presence,” said Msgr. Mayo. “I would also like to welcome the two predecessors to The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City: The Most Rev. George Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco and The Most Rev. William K. Weigand, Bishop Emeritus of Sacramento.”

Msgr. Mayo also welcomed the many archbishops, bishops, clergy, and religious who were present. He welcomed the Honorable Senator Orin Hatch, Utah Governor and Mrs. Gary Herbert, Mayor and Mrs. Peter Corroon, guests from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the most honorary chairwoman Ms. Irene Sweeney, parishioner of the cathedral.

“In 1912, Bishop Lawrence Scanlan, the first bishop, started a dinner for the benefit of the cathedral,” said Msgr. Mayo. “At that time, the fourth Archbishop of New York, Bishop John Murphy Farley, who later became John Murphy Cardinal Farley was also in attendance. So we have tried to continue in that tradition for these past many years, upholding the greatness and uniqueness of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, especially during this centennial year. It is our pleasure to welcome this great turn of the century and to celebrate with all of you, our guests and visitors.”

In his introduction of Cardinal Levada, Msgr. Mayo said, “We have known Cardinal Levada as our metropolitan archbishop and long-time friend of our cathedral.

“Your Eminence we are most honored to welcome you here tonight. The presence you have representing the United States of America and all of us here in this diocese does not go unnoticed,” said Msgr. Mayo.

“It is a great joy to be here at the Bishop’s Dinner,” said Cardinal Levada. “In April of last year, I had the pleasure and privilege of accompanying our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on his pastoral visit to the United States and United Nations. I think all of us were edified, perhaps even surprised by the joy and humility he radiated, by the clear and often profound message he came to share with us. The pope addressed America with obvious affection.

“At a podium in the White House Rose Garden he said, ‘I come as a friend, a preacher of the Gospel, and mourn with great respect for this vast pluralistic society.’

“The principal point the pope made was America’s quest for freedom has been guided by the conviction that the principles governing political and social life are intimately linked to a moral order based on the dominion of God the creator,” said Levada. “As the nation faces the increasingly complex, political, and ethical issues of our time, the pope is confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasonable, responsible, and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more human and free society.”

Cardinal Levada said the central theme of the pope’s talk was freedom addressed in its American context in brief, but moving words. Pope Benedict said, “The preservation of freedom calls for the cultivation of virtue, self-discipline, sacrifice for the common good, and a sense of responsibility for the less fortunate. Freedom is a challenge held out to each generation and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good.

“For 100 years, the Cathedral of the Madeleine has been the symbol of the contribution of the Catholic Church in Utah in teaching and persuading her sons and daughters to be good citizens of this country,” said Cardinal Levada. “May the contribution of these 100 years be honored today as a solid foundation upon which future generations of Catholics may build the future of our country as the land of the free using our freedom faithfully in accord with the plan of our gracious and loving God.”

Bishop Wester said how grateful he was for Cardinal Levada’s time with us during the Centennial and for his remarks.

“Cardinal Levada, we want you to know again of our love, prayers, and our support,” said Bishop Wester. “I also want to thank each and everyone of you here tonight for your generosity and support of our cathedral. I also want to thank Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS Church, and Mayor Peter Corroon for being here.”

Bishop Wester said you cannot separate the building of the cathedral from the people of the cathedral. As such we are people of faith. We are people of gratitude for the grace of God, a God who loves us so much.

“We also are a people of hope,” said Bishop Wester. “We have a future. So tonight’s celebration is a time to give thanks to God as a people of faith for all that we have received, and a time to look to the future to the next 100 years and to say with firm conviction, enthusiasm, and passion, ‘yes, Lord, we will go where ever you want us to go.’”
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