Order of St. Gregory the Great presented to Dee Rowland

Intermountain Catholic

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Dee Rowland (center) wears the medal identifying her as a Dame in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. She is shown with Bishop John C. Wester (right), who petitioned Rome for the papal honor, and Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, the diocese vicar general (left).  IC photo/Marie Mischel

Dee Rowland, who retired in March after 27 years as government liaison for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, was named a Dame in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI. The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, who petitioned Rome for the papal honor, presented it to Rowland on Dec. 9 at a diocesan staff luncheon.

In addition to her position as government liaison, Rowland served as director of the diocesan Peace and Justice Commission for 26 years, and for 20 years as chair of the diocese's Campaign for Human Development and as a member of the Bishop's Cabinet. In his petition, Bishop Wester wrote that Rowland "is a very intelligent, talented and well read woman who never seeks honors or acclamation for herself. She seeks justice and compassion for those who have little public voice and knows that change takes place when public policy and legislation can be impacted by Catholic social teaching. Being a woman of integrity [Rowland] has never wavered in her commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ."