Paul KeenanUnited States – Former US ambassadors have criticised plans to shift America’s Embassy to the Holy See to the grounds of the country’s Embassy to Italy in Rome.
Despite the Obama administration attempting to justify the move on the grounds of security, diplomats have accused their government of enmity to the Church and its faithful.
Former Ambassador to the Holy See James Nicholson pointed out that, at a time when Christians across the Middle East are suffering, “this is anything but a good time to diminish the stature of this post. To diminish the stature of this post is to diminish its influence.”
Nicholson was joined by diplomats Raymond Flynn, Mary Ann Glendon, Thomas Melady and Francis Rooney in urging a rethink of the move, set for 2014 or early 2015.