The following comes from a Nov. 23 column by Kathy Schiffer from Patheos.com.
The United States is scaling back its diplomatic mission at the Vatican—making plans to close its Vatican Embassy headquarters, and instead conduct its operations in a smaller building within the walls of the U.S. Embassy to Italy.
The Obama Administration cites “security concerns” following the attack in Benghazi, and claims that they can better protect embassy staff in a consolidated compound. According to government authorities, once construction is completed in 2015, the Vatican Embassy will have a separate entrance and it will be apparent that it is a completely separate operation.
But many Catholics—among them five former U.S. Ambassadors to the Holy See—strongly disagree, calling the plan a “massive downgrade” in U.S./Vatican relations.
Former U.S. Ambassador James Nicholson, who served as Secretary of Veterans Affairs under George W. Bush and as chairman of the Republican National Committee, said, “It’s turning this embassy into a stepchild of the embassy to Italy.” Speaking to National Catholic Reporter’s John Allen, Ambassador Nicholson said:
“The Holy See is a pivot point for international affairs and a major listening post for the United States, and to shoehorn [the U.S. delegation] into an office annex inside another embassy is an insult to American Catholics and to the Vatican.”
Ambassador Francis X. Rooney, author of The Global Vatican who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican from 2005 to 2008, agrees. ”In the diplomatic world,” Rooney said, “ if you don’t have your own separate space, you’re on the road to nowhere.”
Ambassador Ray Flynn, former Boston mayor and Ambassador from 1993-1997, concurred. Flynn called the relocation “shortsighted” and told the National Catholic Reporter,
“It’s not just those who bomb churches and kill Catholics in the Middle East who are our antagonists, but it’s also those who restrict our religious freedoms and want to close down our embassy to the Holy See.”
Ambassador Flynn saw the move as illustrative of the Obama Administration’s broader secular hostility to religious groups, the Catholic church in particular….
Only the two Vatican Ambassadors who were appointees of President Obama—Manuel Diaz and current U.S. Ambassador Ken Hackett—support the Obama Administration’s plan. Hackett has said that he sees no diminishing in the importance of the U.S.’s relationship with the Vatican, and adds that the two governments have enjoyed a better relationship now, during Pope Francis’ papacy, than they have in quite a while. And Ambassador Manuel Diaz (2009-2012) defended the company line, insisting that the security issue was a serious matter and that the move would better enable the government to ensure the safety of U.S. diplomatic personnel. He added that the move would promote collaboration among the three American embassies in Rome, which he saw as advantageous.
To read entire column, click here.
“…Five former U.S. Ambassadors to the Holy See,strongly disagree (with the Obama administration), calling the plan a “massive downgrade” in U.S./Vatican relations.” This is a stunning slap to the Holy See by an administration that cannot do enough to acccomodate Islam. Even former Clinton appointee Raymond Flynn, no Sean Hannity-type, lambastes the Obama administration regarding this matter. Yet I suppose the biggest insult to everyone’s intelligence is the claim that “security concerns”, such as those that occasioned the Libyan Benghazi attack, were behind the change! Italy and especially Rome, does not have a security problem: in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, it could much more be argued that any US city is a greater security threat, especially under this mal-administration. This is a very deliberate act to placate the Muslim world.
Excellent post Steve Phoenix!
God bless America !
What do you expect from the Obama administration? This comes as no surprise. The man who said that America is no longer a Christian nation is proving himself to be a communist,a marxist, or a Moslem at best .Obama’s agenda is to totally remark and transform America into a godless society. He has cancelled the day of prayer, while he praises Moslem holidays. Again I say, Catholics helped to elected him, twice, so those who were born Catholic but baptized Democrat are responsible for this terrible mess.
Father Karl,
I love the way you put it so well: “those who were born Catholic but baptized Democrat are responsible for this terrible mess.” That includes several commenters to this Site!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
Closing down the Vatican Embassy makes it easier for Obama to continue to persecute the Catholic Church without meaningful protest.
Really?
Closing down the Vatican Embassy closes down a place for Catholics to protest.
Yeah Really YFC sorry we just don’t agree with your slavish devotion to this incompetent bolshevik in the White House
The President of the United States is a closet Muslim, or may as well be. He certainly seems to kowtow to them – look at that sham of a “deal” with Iran, for one example. The sooner we get rid of that jerk, the better.
Ted, the President is not a closet Muslim. Do you recall the commandment about false witness against your neighbor?
Your Fellow Catholic, Ted did not bear false witness against Obama.
You’re entitled to your opinion and Ted his opinion. I agree with Ted that Obama ” is a closet Muslim, or may as well be.”
You are not entitled to your own facts. Whether or not Obama is a Muslim is a matter of fact, not of opinion.
I could say that some people here are “Closet Protestant Fundamentalists or may well be ” but that would be a wrong assumption on my part.
OH..if he is, why doesn’t he make Michelle wear a scarf over her hair in public? … Come to think of it, she’d look cute in one.
He is quoted several times as saying he is a Muslim. The Youtube videos are out there. But more than that, a tree is known by its fruits.
No Dan that is simply not true. The videos that are “out there” are very heavily edited videos that put disjointed statements together to make the listener believe Obama is saying things he never really said. A little critical thinking here is appropriate.
Ted.
How do you define closet?
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
This is good news. We can save some money not having to pay salaries and expenses for useless “diplomats” who enjoy lavish meals and perks in Rome.
Kathy,
You can’t be that naive. Do you really believe that the Obamantion will let go those do nothing Embassy political appointee “employees”?
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
Kathy G is of course not referring to Obama and his miscreants among those who garnish fat salaries and incurr outrageous expenses and lavish meals and perks. Just the US Vatican embassy in Rome, of course .Keep it narrowly focused, Kathy G.
O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Those Who Have Recourse To Thee. And Pray For Those Who Do Not Have Recourse To Thee, Especially The Enemies Of The Church.
The Obama Administation is a left wing hate group populated with anti-Catholic bigots.
Really?
REMEMBER THIS SAYING…THE EVIL THAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS WORLD IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE EVIL PEOPLE (@ 10%) WHO DO IT BUT ITS LIKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME(@ 90%) THAT SIT BACK (COMFORT & SAFE ZONE) AND LET IT HAPPEN!!!
COME AMERICA…WAKE UP
Of course it is a childish expression of contempt for the Church. Catholics, at least, should be disgusted by it.
Maybe the memo about Francis being a fellow fellow-traveler hasn’t gotten back to the White House.
Pray for our country and your childrens’ future. There is evil in the White House bent on destroying Amerika from within. Listen to the retired military speaking out warning us.