THE Australian Government has confirmed the appointment of John McCarthy QC as Australia’s new Ambassador to the Holy See.
Mr McCarthy, who is 64 years of age, is a Catholic and was honoured with a papal knighthood in 2006 for his services to the Church. Mr McCarthy’s son is a priest.
Mr McCarthy has had a distinguished legal career in NSW including acting as senior counsel for the ALP in that state.
He is reported to be a personal friend of the Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Bob Carr. Their association apparently goes back to their university days.
Australia has had diplomatic relations with the Holy See since 1973. The appointment was usually undertaken by an Australian ambassador assigned to another country – Ireland was a popular choice.
However, it was the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who made the decision to appoint an Australian Ambassador to the Holy See to the exclusion of any other appointment.
Mr Rudd went on to appoint Tim Fischer, the former Deputy Prime Minister in the Howard Government, solely as Australia’s first Ambassador to the Holy See to the exclusion of any other ambassadorial appointment.
The appointment was announced at the time of the visit of the Holy Father to World Youth Day in Sydney.
The Australian Government should be congratulated for appointing yet another distinguished Catholic as the Australian ambassador solely to the Holy See.
This follows the tradition and custom followed by a number of other countries who appoint prominent Catholics as their Ambassador to the Holy See rather than a career diplomat.
The appointment of John McCarthy QC will undoubtedly be applauded by the whole Australian community and should be welcomed by the Holy See.
JEFF AHERN
Carina, Qld
