Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Canadian priest who works with the Vatican's press office, was quoted by CNN as saying that the proposed US move satisfies those requirements.

Rosica also praised Ken Hackett, the new US ambassador to the Holy See, telling CNN that "at this critical time in history, he brings eminent credentials to represent the United States to the Vatican."

He added there is "a very good feeling right now" between the two countries.

Another Vatican official, not authorized to speak on the record about diplomatic relations, told CNN the Holy See understands security concerns are an issue for some countries and this move is "an exception, not the ideal, but not the end of the world."

The Washington Times, however, described the move in its report as "an egregious slap in the face to the Vatican."

It's a "massive downgrade of US-Vatican ties," said former US Ambassador James Nicholson in the National Catholic Reporter. "It's turning this embassy into a stepchild of the embassy to Italy. The Holy See is a pivot point for international affairs and a major listening post for the United States, and … [it's] an insult to American Catholics and to the Vatican."

Former ambassadors to the Holy See said moving that embassy would diminish the stature of the mission and conservative Catholic activists seized on the issue.

The State Department dismissed complaints that the move was hurting the US relationship with the Vatican, saying that the embassy to the Holy See will be much closer to the Vatican and there will be "no reduction in diplomatic staff. There's no reduction in ambassadors, there's no reduction in mission."

Sources

CNN
Washington Times
Time
Image: Getty Images/CNN

In its statement the Embassy said it wished to correct an inaccurate New Zealand press reports about the Regional Seasonal Employment Scheme.

The US Embassy wishes "to correct the record regarding claims made in the New Zealand press that Ambassador CdeBaca, during his recent visit to New Zealand, criticized New Zealand's Regional Seasonal Employment Worker Scheme as "verging on trafficking in persons. Neither Ambassador CdeBaca nor any member of his delegation made the statement attributed to him."

"While Ambassador CdeBaca noted that all guest worker programs need vigilant monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to stop unscrupulous recruiters and employers from exploiting vulnerable workers, he has stated unequivocally that the United States takes no position on the New Zealand Regional Seasonal Employment Worker Scheme."

Source

• Savali
• Image: FTS Blog