“On behalf of the bishops of Canada, I extend to you our heartfelt thanks for your years of faithful service to the Universal Church in your capacity as Secretary of State,” CCCB president Archbishop Richard Smith wrote outgoing Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in Sept. 3 letter.

The Holy See announced Aug. 31 Pope Francis had accepted Bertone’s retirement and named Archbishop Pietro Parolin, who has been serving as nuncio to Venezuela, as his replacement. Bertone will continue in office until Oct. 15.

“During your tenure, and particularly in recent years, the Canadian bishops and their executive officers have benefitted immensely from your ready welcome, wise counsel and active support as we responded to many pastoral issues facing our country,” Smith wrote Bertone. “I take this opportunity to assure you of our continuing prayers and fraternal support as you enter a new phase of your service to the Lord and His Church. May you be blessed with many more years of health, happiness and spiritual fulfilment.”

In a Sept. 3 letter to the incoming Secretary of State, Smith extended the Canadian bishops’ congratulations to Parolin and “pledge of fraternal support” on his nomination.

“We pray that the Lord’s blessings will bring your vital ministry to fruition in accordance with His plan for the Universal Church and world,” Smith wrote on behalf of his brother bishops. “May His grace and mercy be for you a continual source of strength and encouragement.”

Parolin is a veteran in the Holy See’s diplomatic service, having served in nunciatures or Holy See embassies in Mexico and Nigeria before his assignment in Venezuela. A graduate of the Vatican’s diplomatic school, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Parolin worked in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State from 2002 to 2009 as undersecretary for relations with the states. In that capacity, Parolin handled sensitive negotiations with China, Vietnam and North Korea.

“In your service as Under Secretary in the Relations with States section of the Secretariat of State, you had occasion to work closely with Canada through its diplomatic channels as well as through our ecclesial institutions. Canadians who worked with you are grateful for the friendship and support you consistently manifested, and we now eagerly anticipate a renewal and strengthening of that relationship,” Smith wrote. “We look forward to our collaboration in the service of announcing God’s Word to a world seriously in need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”