Opposition to Vatican envoy fades quickly

Despite some early grumbling by conservative Roman Catholics, it appears that the nomination of Minnesotan Miguel H. Diaz as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican is headed for quick and easy Senate confirmation hearings.

Diaz's nomination was lauded by his Vatican counterpart in Washington on Thursday; it also was revealed that Pope Benedict signed off on the nomination before it was announced Wednesday evening.

Conservative Catholics were not initially enthralled with the nomination, but they quickly realized that there wasn't much they could do about it.

Diaz, 45, a Cuban-born theologian at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville, Minn., has focused his energies on strengthening the church's multicultural foundations. In the process he has skirted many of its most-volatile issues.

"President Obama has selected a man whose writings do not address such hot-button issues as abortion, embryonic stem cell research, doctor-assisted suicide and gay marriage," said Bill Donohue, president of the conservative Catholic League. "In that regard, it appears that this is a safe choice."

It became even safer after Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the papal nuncio in Washington, offered an unexpected endorsement of Diaz. While attending an event at the Catholic University of America, Sambi surprised onlookers by stepping up to a microphone to congratulate Diaz and say that he is excited, "as his partner on the other side, to collaborate with him on what is our main reason of life: to improve relations."

Later in the day, Rocco Palmo, a reporter for the Tablet, a weekly Catholic newspaper based in London, reported on his blog that church officials had confirmed that the Vatican approved the nomination beforehand.

Abortion is hottest issue

Diaz was an adviser to Obama's presidential campaign and has continued to support his administration. His endorsement of Kathleen Sebelius' nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services is the basis for Donohue's concerns. Sebelius, a Catholic, supported selective restrictions on abortions while governor of Kansas.

While Diaz's support doesn't mean that he endorses all of Sebelius' views, "it is disconcerting, nonetheless," Donahue said.

When reached by the Star Tribune, Diaz declined to speak on issues that might come up during his nomination hearings, a standard practice among nominees.

While providing little ammunition for critics, he has created a long list of admirers through his work, especially his efforts to strengthen ties between the central church and Hispanic parishes.

"President Obama has appointed someone who can help build mutual understanding among Catholics in this turbulent time, particularly when such bridges are so sorely needed," said Steve Krueger, national director of Catholic Democrats, a political organization based in Boston.

Even the Catholic League conceded in a second phone call that the nomination is not without a plus side.

"His interests in immigration and the environment mesh very well with those of the Vatican," spokeswoman Susan Fani said. "We wish they would have found someone who was more outspoken on abortion, but, on the other hand, he is someone we can work with."

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392