History of the Catholic Church in Spain who was active in many different modes of religion, including organizing convents and new congregations, and developing the theology of the Counter Reformation in Spain that permanently minimized the Protestant influence there. In the 1620s Spain debated who should be the nation's patron saint- the current patron Saint James Matamoros (Saint James the Moor-slayer) or a combination of him and the newly canonized Saint Teresa of Ávila. Teresa's promoters said Spain faced new challenges, especially the threat of Protestantism, and the declining society at home and needed a modern patron saint who understood these problems and could lead the Spanish
Michelle Patron professor at New York University's Center for Global Affairs. Patron is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has written for "Foreign Affairs", "Financial Times", and the "Los Angeles Times". Patron is the daughter of Judi Billig and Bob Billig of North Miami Beach, Florida. She was married on November 15, 2008, to David I. Patron, at the time an executive with American Express. Michelle Patron Michelle Naomi (Billig) Patron (born 1974) is an energy policy expert who currently serves in the White House as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for energy and climate change