Miguel H. Diaz
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Miguel H. Diaz (45 Havana, Cuba), M.A., Ph.D., was nominated on May 27, 2009 for the position of United States Ambassador to the Holy See and is a Professor of theology St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville. He teaches and writes on theology, is a Rahner scholar, and is reported to be pro-life.
Early life and education
Diaz was born in Havana and he and his family departed for Spain when he was 9. [1] Two years later, he immigrated to Florida. [2] He comes from a modest background, his father having worked as a waiter and his mother, a data-entry operator, having never attended high school. [3][4]
Diaz attended public primary and secondary school.[5] He then graduated from St. Thomas University in 1988 and later got a master’s in 1992 and Ph.D. in 2000 from Notre Dame. [6]
Career
On May 27, 2009, the Obama administration nominated Diaz for the position of United States Ambassador to the Holy See, and he is currently awaiting Senate confirmation.[7]
There had been some controversy over the position prior to his nomination. In 2009, the seat of ambassador had remained vacant for several months because of alleged tensions between the Vatican and the White House over the issues of abortion and marriage.[8] Three candidates were mentioned, including Caroline Kennedy and Douglas Kmiec, but they were ultimately not selected because of disagreement on these matters.[9][10][11]
According to writer Michael Sean Winters of America, Diaz is a pro-life Democrat who is trained in the theology of Karl Rahner.[12] A potential source of controversy is Diaz' support for Kathleen Sebelius, a staunch pro-choice politician who was opposed by many Catholics, as nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary.[13]
Rocco Palmo, a reporter for the Tablet, a London Catholic periodical, noted in his journal that Church officials had confirmed that the Vatican approved the nomination of Diaz beforehand.[14]
Prior to his position as theology professor at College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, Diaz was a professor at Barry University, the University of Dayton and Notre Dame, and academic dean at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida.[15] Diaz is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian. [16] Diaz is the author/editor of many works, including On Being Human: U.S. Hispanic and Rahnerian Perspectives” (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2002) and “From the Heart of Our People: Latino/a Explorations in Catholic Systematic Theology” (Orlando E. Espín and Miguel Díaz, eds., Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1999). [17] Diaz was President of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS), 2006-07, is a Board Member of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), 2008-2010, a Member of the Karl Rahner Society (KRS) and a board member of the KRS steering committee, and was a Member of Barack Obama's Catholic advisory group during the 2008 presidential campaign, as well as a campaign donor. [18][19][20]
References
- ^ Obama’s pick for Vatican ambassador described as devout scholar, leading theologian Boston Herald, May 29, 2009, AP
- ^ Obama’s pick for Vatican ambassador described as devout scholar, leading theologian Boston Herald, May 29, 2009, AP
- ^ Obama’s pick for Vatican ambassador described as devout scholar, leading theologian Boston Herald, May 29, 2009, AP
- ^ GORSKI, ERIC, Hispanic theologian chosen for Vatican ambassador AP, May 27, 2009
- ^ Obama’s pick for Vatican ambassador described as devout scholar, leading theologian Boston Herald, May 29, 2009, AP
- ^ St. John’s University Staff page for Miguel Diaz accessed May 29, 2009
- ^ Miller, Pam, Obama picks St. John's prof as ambassador to Vatican Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 27, 2009
- ^ The Vatican versus the White House Irish Independent (online), April 18, 2009, Section: World News
- ^ The Vatican versus the White House Irish Independent (online), April 18, 2009, Section: World News
- ^ "Pope 'rejects Kennedy for being too liberal'" The Times (UK) April 15, 2009
- ^ "Obama's candidates for Vatican ambassador failing 'simple standard'". Catholic News Agency. 2009-04-09. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ US ambassador to Vatican named
- ^ GORSKI, ERIC, Hispanic theologian chosen for Vatican ambassador AP, May 27, 2009
- ^ Opposition to Vatican envoy fades quickly
- ^ GORSKI, ERIC, Hispanic theologian chosen for Vatican ambassador AP, May 27, 2009
- ^ GORSKI, ERIC, Hispanic theologian chosen for Vatican ambassador AP, May 27, 2009
- ^ St. John’s University Staff page for Miguel Diaz accessed May 29, 2009
- ^ St. John’s University Staff page for Miguel Diaz accessed May 29, 2009
- ^ GORSKI, ERIC, Hispanic theologian chosen for Vatican ambassador AP, May 27, 2009
- ^ ACHTUS Press Release accessed June 01, 2009
External links
- College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University faculty page for Miguel Diaz
- Karl Rahner Society with Biography and Bibliography
- The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS) with press release