Envoy criticized for religious activism resigns

WASHINGTON – The U.S. ambassador to Malta has announced his resignation following a State Department report that criticized him for neglecting his official duties and spending too much time writing and speaking about his Catholic faith.

In letters sent Saturday to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and earlier in the week to President Barack Obama, Douglas Kmiec said he would leave his post on August 15, the date of the feast of the Assumption.

Kmiec, a well-known conservative law professor and commentator, has been a key Catholic supporter of Obama.

Malta is the closest European country to Libya and the U.S. embassy there is playing an enhanced role in world affairs.