President Obama picks Cuban American for ambassador to The Vatican

http://www.startribune.com/politics/46279027.html

The Roman Catholic theologian from Minnesota nominated as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is a "gifted bridge-builder" whose ability "to bring people together for spirited discussions and honest interchanges" would serve him well in the highly sensitive role, a colleague said Wednesday night.

Miguel H. Diaz, 45, a Cuban-born professor of theology at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville who was an adviser to President Obama's campaign, would be the first Hispanic to serve as envoy to the Vatican since it established diplomatic ties to the United States in 1984.

Reached late Wednesday at his home in Avon, Minn., Diaz declined to speak in detail about the nomination or his stances on controversial issues but offered this statement:

"I am very honored, grateful, and humbled that President Obama has nominated me to serve as ambassador to the Holy See. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, I will continue the work of my predecessors and build upon 25 years of formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See. I wish to be a bridge between our nation and the Holy See."

William Cahoy, dean of the School of Theology and Seminary at St. John's, said Diaz's colleagues are thrilled by his nomination.

This is great. Oh wow, just amazing. I need to read up on Mr. Diaz, his qualifications seem impeccable so far.

We don't need an ambassodor to the Holy See, any more than we need an ambassador to Xenu or Kolob.