Posted on 11/06/2007 6:49:14 AM PST by NYer
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush plans to nominate Harvard University law professor Mary Ann Glendon to be his new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
Glendon, 69, is an anti-abortion scholar and an opponent of gay marriage who also has written on the effects of divorce and increased litigation on society. Her 1987 book "Abortion and Divorce in Western Law" was critical of the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established a legal right to abortion.
The White House announced Monday that Bush will nominate Glendon to the post, which requires Senate confirmation.
Glendon was appointed by Pope John Paul II in 1994 to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, a panel that advises the Roman Catholic church on social policy.
Glendon has served as an adviser to the Vatican in several capacities. In 1995, she was the first woman to lead a delegation of the Holy See at the United Nations Women's Conference in Beijing. She has also served on the Pontifical Council for the Laity and as a consultant to the Pontifical Council on the Family.
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who last summer named Glendon to co-chair his campaign advisory committee on the constitution and courts, praised the choice.
"She will serve our country with the honor and dignity we expect from those who represent our country's values abroad. While I may have lost her trusted counsel to our campaign, our country has gained an extremely gifted ambassador," Romney said in a statement.
A native of Dalton, Mass., Glendon taught at Boston College and became a visiting professor of law at Harvard in 1974. She became a full professor there in 1986.
Mary Ann Glendon is a great woman.
Do you know who has the position now and if there was any amount of debate in the Senate over the last ambassador?
“..an anti-abortion scholar and an opponent of gay marriage who also has written on the effects of divorce and increased litigation on society..”
Wow. A national treasure.
a diamond among pebbles.
“a diamond among pebbles.”
How about a pearl among swine?
Pearl among swine? The point of Or Lord’s saying is that pigs will eat anything. Mary Ann has survived quite nicely.
When I saw the headline, I was worried — the chances of finding a good person at Harvard seemed slim. But she seems like a real find. Nice job, Dubya!
An EXCELLENT choice!!
As the Polish say, "Sto Lat!" May she live 100 years!
Wonderful pick, wonderful woman.
The current Ambassador to the Holy See is The Honorable Francis Rooney
I am not aware of any debate over his selection. You can learn more at the official web site.
Thanks, NYer!
Glendon gave a speech in Denver in Spring 2002. She seemed far too enamored of the clergy, and particularly oblivious to the sex abuse scandal going on in her Boston. I’m not sure this is a good choice. She does great work in other areas, which is where she should remain.
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