And the nominee to be the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See is...

... Miguel H. Diaz, Ph.D. Diaz "serves on the graduate faculty of the School of Theology • Seminary of Saint John’s University and undergraduate faculty of the Department of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, has been nominated as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican)."

That information from the notice on the St. John's University website (ht: America magazine). The Associated Press reports that Diaz

would be the first Hispanic to serve as ambassador to the Vatican since the United States and the Holy See established full diplomatic ties in 1984. Diaz was born in Havana.

<snip>

Reached at his home Wednesday, Diaz read a brief statement expressing gratitude for the opportunity and saying, "I wish to be a diplomatic bridge between our nation and the Holy See, and if confirmed by the U.S. Senate, I will continue the work of my predecessors and build on 25 years of excellent relations with the Holy See."

He declined to answer questions about his positions on issues, saying it would be inappropriate before his confirmation hearing.

One potential point of conflict is Diaz's support for the nomination of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic whose abortion rights record angered conservative Catholics. Diaz was among 26 Catholic leaders and scholars who signed a statement hailing Sebelius as "a woman of deep faith" and citing her a record on immigration, education, health care and reducing abortion rates in Kansas.

Mark Silk of Spiritual-Politics.org notes Diaz "served on Obama's Catholic Advisory Board during the campaign, which puts him firmly in the Kmiec camp. This strikes me as the shrewdest of moves, and one that will cause no end of teeth-grinding on the Catholic right, including the likes of Archbishop Burke. But we await learned commentary from his co-religionists." Silk adds: "Turns out Diaz is a consultant to Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Big win for social-justice, common-ground Catholics." Sure enough.

Michael Sean Winters of National Catholic Reporter remarks, "Diaz is a pro-life Democrat so his mere presence at the Vatican will disprove the contention of some conservatives that there is no such thing as a pro-life [sic] Catholic" (he means "pro-life Democrat"). Or, it could be what is commonly known as "an exception that proves the rule."

Pontifications has more information.

Comments

[BillyHW]

He missed out on the Supreme Court nomination and now also the ambassador's position.

I guess Doug Kmiec is finding out that 30 pieces of silver doesn't buy a whole lot.

[Dan Deeny]

St. John's University also has a graduate working for the Obama Administration. Denis McDonough is a high National Security advisor with a speciality in Latin American affairs. I tried in an email to learn his ideas on the new Mexico City Policy, but he didn't respond. You might also be interested to know that St. John's recently gave its Eugene McCarthy Award to Julian Bond, a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose. Even more interesting is the fact that Fr. Paul Marx O.S.B., the founder of Human Life International, is a monk from St. John's Abbey.
Pres. Obama is good at using a Catholic's desire for a successful career.
Let us pray for Catholics in America.

[Dave Mueller]

Yes, St. John's University has only the most tenuous connection to the Catholic faith. I get their fundraising appeals since I live nearby, and they go straight into the circular file.