Panel explores 40 years of Vatican-U.S. diplomatic relations

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Ken Hackett, speaks with St. Mary’s Seminary Vice Rector Father Matthew G. Súniga during an Oct. 10 event at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston recognizing the 40th anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Holy See. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)

HOUSTON — Nearly 200 people attended a gathering at St. Mary’s Seminary with Ken Hackett, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See; James Baker, who served as U.S. Secretary of State in George H.W. Bush’s cabinet, and St. Mary’s Seminary Vice Rector Father Matthew G. Súniga, who served as moderator.

The Oct. 10 event, which was hosted by St. Mary’s Seminary, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the University of St. Thomas and the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston, recognized the 40th anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Holy See. 

The Vatican and the U.S. government announced the establishment of full diplomatic relations Jan. 10, 1984. Two months later, the Senate confirmed President Ronald Reagan’s choice of William A. Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, and a few weeks later, St. John Paul II appointed then-Archbishop Pio Laghi as the first pro-nuncio to the U.S. Though formal relations began in 1984, U.S. embassy officials said that there have been “cultivated consular relations” with the Vatican since 1797.

In recorded remarks, Baker, a well-known Texas political figure, recognized the tumultuous world events that happened when the diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Vatican entered its fifth year as he began serving as Bush Sr.’s secretary of state in 1989.

The event also featured recorded remarks from Baker, who noted that the relationship fostered by President Ronald Reagan and St. John Paul II played a crucial role in the end of the Cold War.

This alliance, which began in June of 1982 when President Reagan met with the then-pope behind closed doors at the Vatican, contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the spread of freedom in Eastern Europe, with 11 countries eventually joining NATO.

Baker said despite the wariness of Protestants of the relationship between Washington and the Vatican, still “the Gipper and the pope trusted one another and both men shared common ground.”

“President Reagan respected the great moral and political influence which the pope and the Vatican exercised throughout the world, and he admired the courageous stands that the pope took in defense of Western values,” he said.

Baker said that today, the U.S. and the Vatican continue to collaborate on human rights, conflict prevention, and other global issues like poverty eradication, environmental protection and interreligious efforts.

Nearly 30 years after Wilson’s appointment, Hackett was nominated in 2013 to serve under President Barack Obama’s administration, remaining in this position until 2017. Prior to his role as ambassador, Hackett was president of Catholic Relief Services from 1993 to 2012.

Ambassador Hackett’s discussions coursed through a variety of topics, including the importance of building trust, understanding cultural nuances, and the role of the Holy See in world affairs.

“The Holy See is global,” he said, noting that nearly every nation had a relationship with the Vatican and that an exchange of information between ambassadors to the Vatican happened regularly and helped facilitate relationships between countries themselves. His presence at the Vatican also helped him grow connections with bishops around the world who would share with him about affairs in their own countries, often information not shared by their own countries’ diplomats.

He said these relationships continued even as the U.S. presidency changed administrations.

Hackett noted the significance of the Holy See’s sustained representation and its impact on international relations, particularly during the Obama administration’s thawing of relations with Cuba. Hackett recognized the efforts of Cuban Archbishop Juan García Rodríguez.

The conversation also touched on the personal aspects of serving as an ambassador, the challenges faced and the influence of Pope Francis’ themes of mercy and outreach on diplomatic efforts.

– Catholic News Service contributed to this story.