“Cardinal Siri of Genoa, a man of granite faith” says Vatican’s top official

(April 13, 2011) Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarciscio Bertone paid profound homage to the figure of Cardinal Giuseppe Siri of Genoa, Italy, saying he made a considerable contribution to the life of the Church and society in Italy. Cardinal Bertone made the remarks at the opening of a Conference in Rome on Tuesday evening, the theme of which was “Giuseppe Siri – church, culture and politics from Genoa to the world”. Cardinal Bertone said in this year commemorating the 150^th anniversary of the unification of Italy, we are given the opportunity in some way, to unite in a single act of homage to a great number of those ministers of the Church, famous or unknown, to which the country owes a great debt of gratitude, for serving God and for making a great contribution to the welfare of the whole Italian society. He said Genoa was really at the heart of the life of this great man of the Church, so deeply attached to his hometown, and totally devoted to the welfare of the Church that he led for over 40 years with a dedication that encompassed the entire social, political, economic and cultural center of Genoa. Cardinal Bertone concluded saying Cardinal Siri was the starting point for action, which went beyond the borders of Genoa.He was indeed a man of granite faith, Cardinal Bertone added.