The following is by Callista L. Gingrich, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
Thirty-five years ago today, William A. Wilson presented his credentials to Pope John Paul II, becoming America’s first ambassador to the Holy See. This historic moment marked the start of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the Vatican.
As the Second World War gave way to the Cold War, the destructive force of the Soviet Union threatened to sweep across the free world. Millions died under the thumb of communist rule and many more continued to suffer under its tyranny.
Two leaders were determined to change this: President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. They quickly realized that the unofficial relationship between the United States and the Holy See at the time was no longer adequate to meet the dangers posed by Communism.
Soon after taking office, President Reagan requested a meeting with Pope John Paul II. When the two leaders met in Vatican City in 1982, President Reagan asked the Polish pontiff when Eastern Europe would be free from Soviet domination. When the Pope responded “in our lifetime,” the President grabbed his hand and said fervently “let’s work together!”
President Reagan returned to Washington D.C., and within two years established official diplomatic relations with the Vatican. When Ambassador Wilson presented his credentials to Pope John Paul II on April 9, 1984, the Pope told him that renewed collaboration between the United States and the Holy See should mean “exerting common efforts to defend the dignity and the rights of the human person.”
For the last 35 years, this unique partnership has done just that. It has existed, in President Reagan’s words “to the benefit of peace-loving people everywhere.”
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Are we talking about the same Callista Gingrich who had a multi-year affair with a married man?
And this is important, why? God does forgive sinners, does confession ring a bell.
According to many CCD posters, she is an adulterer. She married a Christain man who had been previously been married, besides the fact that she had an affair with him even before he was civilly divorced. I think that makes here a serial adulterer.
We have had many major sinners in our history, Augustine comes to mind, and he went on to become a great saint. I was taught to hate the sin, forgive the sinner. Question- why would CCD have posters about this?
Her appointment is a reflection of the social degradation that has occurred in the USA and the amoral leadership of our country. Some people are Catholics because of the faith…others because of the status and power one may access in certain social circles. Due to her past behavior she would never have been considered for this position in any other truly conservative presidential administration.
Not just her past behavior….she is a divorced and remarried catholic.