Theology Professor Named As US Ambassador To Vatican

Yesterday, the White House announced the names of 12 individuals that President Obama intends to nominate as ambassadors. (Boston Globe.) Included is Miguel H. Díaz as Ambassador to the Holy See. Dr. Díaz is a Professor of Theology at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. He previously taught at Barry University, the University of Dayton and the University of Notre Dame, and served as Academic Dean at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. AP reports that Diaz, a Cuban-American, was a member of the Obama campaign's Catholic advisory board. He was also one of 26 Catholics who signed a statement supporting the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius as Health and Human Services Secretary. Conservative Catholics had criticized Sebelius' support for abortion rights. Yesterday's London Guardian has more on the appointment, on Diaz' reaction to it, and on the reaction of others to his choice. The question of who would be appointed ambassador to the Vatican has been the subject of some contention, as reportedly the Vatican previously rejected three other possibilities. (See prior posting.)