Argentine Nominee For Ambassador To Vatican Withdraws

Alberto Iribarne, recently named by Argentina as its ambassador to the Holy See, has decided not to accept the post after objections from the Vatican. CNA reported yesterday that the appointment created problems because the Vatican, in accepting an ambassador, insists that if the individual is Catholic, he or she must not be "in a state of canonical irregularity". Iribarne's remarriage after being divorced precludes him from receiving communion. Some Catholics in Argentina also have objected to Iribarne's appointment because, as former Justice Minister, he signed an anti-discrimination law that pro-life groups said would promote abortion and homosexuality and would change Church-state relations.