The US Senate has confirmed Douglas Kmiec as ambassador to Malta.

The main catholic cheerleader for the Obama presidential election, Prof. Kmiec is a Pepperdine University law professor who drew scorn during the campaign because of his support for Obama, an abortion advocate.

Prof. Kmiec said in a statement:

"The confirmation process is long and thorough, as it must be. Nevertheless, like any examination - and I have both taken and given more than my share - it is satisfying to have it concluded and concluded so well. I know in going to this ancient place of beauty and antiquity where there is history at every turn, that I will be representing the sovereignty of the United States. The fidelity one owes to country and countrymen make that humbling indeed. With the high esteem in which our president and secretary of state are held abroad, it is a particularly good moment to be taking up this responsibility. I embrace it."

Prof. Kmiec was a deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel during the Reagan administration but appears to have fallen away from his involvement with pro-life political leaders.

He was denied communion and some say he exposed himself as not fully pro-life in an October article where he said that sometimes the law must leave space for the exercise of individual judgment, since religious or scientific differences of opinion were too profound to be bridged collectively

Prof. Kmiec was dean of Catholic University’s law school from 2001 to 2003 and was a professor at the University of Notre Dame’s law school.