Obama's Vatican Pick: Boosting Hispanic Catholics, Disarming Catholic Critics

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Time

Barack Obama has an uncanny ability to disarm critics, especially those itching for a fight, and it was on full display this past week. His choice of federal judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court nominee, of course, got all the attention. But another key appointment of a Hispanic with top-notch credentials and a compelling personal story also showed just how good the President is at keeping his opponents off balance. In fact, in selecting Catholic scholar Miguel Diaz to be the new ambassador to the Holy See, Obama not only neutralized potential controversy, but he highlighted a potential weakness of the American Catholic Church these days.

If confirmed, the Cuban-American Diaz would be the first theologian to hold the diplomatic post, and he would become one of the country's most influential Hispanic Catholics. The choice is a shrewd one for a White House that has been under fire from leading conservative Catholics in the first few months of the Administration. What could have been an ugly confirmation battle may well proceed with all the rancor of a first communion party.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1902013,00.html

[imdjh]

1. he should have appointed Father Cutié n/t