Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- The Cathedral of the Madeleine marks its 100th anniversary this week. The celebrations began Sunday evening with a civic service.
Guest speakers included President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and University of Utah President Michael Young. Bishop John Wester said at the service that the cathedral has been a place of gathering for people of all faiths over the decades.
Nearly 1,000 people filled the Cathedral of the Madeleine for the first in a series of celebratory events. Bishop Wester paid tribute to the pioneer founders of the Catholic faith in Utah, thanking all of those who had given generous support to care for the poor and the sick, refugees and immigrants, and for community participation in the Cathedral's arts and humanities programs.
He offered a special welcome to the members of the first presidency of the LDS Church. "President Monson, it is a great joy to welcome you to the cathedral this evening, and we are appreciative of your support and encouragement of our centennial here," he said.
Pres. Monson spoke of decades of friendship between the two faiths, calling their mutual care for those in need an ecumenical brotherhood.
"Our churches, with a tradition of kindness and caring and cooperative effort will meet the needs by all of us working together for this noble cause," he said.
The legacy of education at the cathedral was addressed by University of Utah President Michael Young.
"It serves as a beacon of learning and enlightenment. Its presence in our community reminds us to continue to work together to improve lives, improve society and give back to the world," he said.
Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and Ignacio Rios Navarro, the Consul of Mexico, talked of the beauty and grace that the cathedral will continue to bring to the community.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
