A Brooklyn Congressman has criticized the Obama Administration for its plan to close the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and to consolidate it into the larger embassy in Italy.

Rep. Michael Grimm, who represents parts of Bay Ridge and all of Staten Island, said that “The Obama Administration’s plan to close the Vatican Embassy is a slap in the face to the 78 million Catholics in the United States and shows a complete lack of understanding of the importance of our diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Our relationship with the Vatican has been a tradition for almost 30 years, and one that should grow stronger under Pope Francis’ leadership.

“The current administration demonstrates time and time again an anti-Catholic bias – starting with Obamacare, and this is just another example. Closing this embassy completely undermines our relationship with the Vatican and is an insult to Catholics throughout the United States.

“As a proud, practicing Catholic, I am deeply offended by the Administration’s announcement and urge them to reconsider this deplorable move.”