Obama names former CRS head ambassador to the Vatican

[rug]

Ken Hackett ran Baltimore-based organization for 18 years

June 14, 2013|By Jonathan Pitts, The Baltimore Sun

President Barack Obama has nominated Ken Hackett, the humanitarian who served as president of Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services for 18 years, as the next U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.

The announcement, made Friday, means Hackett will become the U.S. government's official liaison to the Holy See.

Hackett, 66, served the worldwide relief organization for 40 years, directing its efforts in more than 100 countries around the world until 2011. He gained a reputation as a man who cared about the Catholic Church and its directives and possessed diplomatic skills.

Bishop Denis J. Madden, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a former Catholic Relief Services board member, called the appointment "great news."

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-06-14/news/bs-md-hackett-to-vatican-20130614_1_crs-president-ken-hackett-catholic-relief-services

[IrishAyes]

1. Great news.

We need more like this man, with the servant's heart so ridiculed by much of the world. I'd name names, but then that would be too much like carrying on partisan politics in what I can't help regarding as a somewhat sacred place. Gotta at least try to practice what I preach.... must try....