Report: Vatican Declines to Approve French Ambassador’s Nomination Over Homosexuality

Catholic Culture ^ | 10/3/14

[marshmallow]

In January, the French government appointed Laurent Stefanini as its ambassador to the Holy See, but three months later, the Vatican has not approved the appointment—leading to European media reports that the lack of approval stems from Stefanini’s homosexuality.

Le Monde and Corriere della Sera reported that Cardinal André Vingt-Trois of Paris interceded with Pope Francis on behalf of the nomination of Stefanini, a former official of the French embassy at the Vatican. La Croix reported that Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the former Vatican foreign minister who now serves as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, also supports the appointment.

[marshmallow]

Headline is misleading. As of now, the nomination has neither been officially approved nor declined.

The reports about the French cardinals are disturbing.

[livius]

I agree with you on the French cardinals. I wonder who is holding the line at the Vatican? That, at least, is promising.

I remember that it was speculated that Obama was going to appoint a gay ambassador to the Vatican, but at the last moment, he seems to have changed his mind and picked somebody who wasn’t controversial.

[rjsimmon]

I have a great idea. Why don’t all of the homosexuals of the world form their own country? They can elect their own queen and appoint ambassadors to whatever county deigns to recognize them. They could use the Olympic city in Sochi created for the last games held in Russia, I hear it ain’t being used right now.

Then the rest of the world can move on without having these people seeking out their 15 minutes of fame every blasted minute of the day.

[Mastador1]

Why don’t all of the homosexuals of the world form their own country?

Kind of like Liberia, but more like Queeria? Well I believe Queensland is already taken.

[ebb tide]

Disturbing: Yes.

Unexpected: No.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

Headline is misleading. As of now, the nomination has neither been officially approved nor declined.

Based on other articles I've read on this story, the Vatican's practice is typically not to affirmarively decline nominations. When they take no action on a nomination, it is typically taken as an implicit rejection.