Cardinal Burke: Catholic Church Under Pope Francis Is 'A Ship Without A Rudder'

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/02/cardinal-burke-pope-francis_n_6083940.html

Religion News Service | By Josephine McKenna
Posted: 11/02/2014 9:04 am EST


U.S. Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke takes part in an anti-abortion march in Rome, Sunday, May 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca) | ASSOCIATED PRESS

VATICAN CITY (RNS) American Cardinal Raymond Burke, the feisty former archbishop of St. Louis who has emerged as the face of the opposition to Pope Francis’ reformist agenda, likened the Roman Catholic Church to “a ship without a rudder” in a fresh attack on the pope’s leadership.

In an interview with the Spanish Catholic weekly Vida Nueva, published Thursday (Oct. 30), Burke insisted he was not speaking out against the pope personally but raising concern about his leadership.

“Many have expressed their concerns to me. At this very critical moment, there is a strong sense that the church is like a ship without a rudder,” Burke said.

“Now, it is more important than ever to examine our faith, have a healthy spiritual leader and give powerful witness to the faith.”

more at link

[Ilsa]

1. What a crock.

Pope Francis just isn't leading with judgment and hatred, and they can't stand it.

[cbayer]

2. Agree. The fact that he is causing them such consternation is a good sign, imo.

[cantbeserious]

3. Trouble In Paradise

eom

[cbayer]

22. I'm not sure the RCC hierarchy has ever been paradise.

Much as I would often like to be a fly on the wall, I wouldn't want to be a part of that system for anything.

[Sanity Claws]

27. Very astute

I work for a Catholic social agency and get a glimpse of the politics at the Diocesan level. My goodness, it must be a million times worse at the Cardinal/Pope level.

[hrmjustin]

4. So glad the pope distanced himself from this clown.

[cbayer]

5. I hope that the rumors about him being demoted to a merely ceremonial

position are true.

[hrmjustin]

10. They are.

[cbayer]

16. Excellent news. Let's hope there is more house cleaning.

[okasha]

14. He's been demoted already.

Twice, in fact. He's been kicked off the committee that recommends new bishops and removed as judge of the Vatican's highest court. He's now the sponsor of the Knights of Malta.

I think he may have some resentment going.

[cbayer]

17. And FTR, that's action not just words.

So he now just has a ceremonial position and no authority other than his bully pulpit.

I think that says something.

[napi21]

6. What ever happened to "The Pope is infallible on matters of dogma"?

I remember being taught that on matters of faith, the Pope was infallible. I understand that this Pope is saying things that dispute things the Catholic Church has believed in for many years, but that's exactly how the religion evolved over those many years. These old crotchety bishops need to remember the basics of their religious doctrine and accept some changes.

[skepticscott]

9. What is the pope saying

that is in direct contradiction of church doctrine? What changes in doctrine has he explicitly advocated?

[napi21]

12. People who have divorced can still receive communion. Gay people are still to be loved.

There are probably others I can't think of right now.

[skepticscott]

13. Can you point us to where in Catholic dogma

it is currently declared that gay people are NOT to be loved?

[TexasProgresive]

15. One thing, people who are divorced and not remarried can recieve communion.

Neither of those things you bring up are dogma-dogma is reserved for things like the nature of Christ, the Holy Trinity, the resurrection, etc.

Burke is mostly chewing on sour grapes and pissed off that he's out of the loop. I'm sure he was happier under Francis' predecessors.

[skepticscott]

31. Apparently you can't

Nothing has changed at all.

[cbayer]

18. Something tells me this has more to do with politics than religion.

But I am glad to see this particular guy getting swept out and hope there will be many others.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. This guy is on a very short plank and

Pope Frankie has the chain saw all warmed up. Wasn't Burke involved in one or two pedophilia cover ups in another region?

[cbayer]

19. He has definitely played a role in the cover up.

Here is a page from SNAP about his role:

http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2010_statements/120610_snap_blasts_cardinal_burkes_view_of_abuse_crisis.htm

[rug]

8. He's Mitch McConnell with a red beany.

Same tactics.

[cbayer]

20. And just as hateful.

[Historic NY]

11. Pope needs to start recalling these guys...

back to Rome for extended stays,

[cbayer]

21. They've got one on house arrest, but I would love to see them get their

generally empty prison up and running.

[Warren Stupidity]

25. the pederast under "house arrest" is being shielded from prosecution in the countries

where he committed his crimes.

[Promethean]

23. The idea is appealing to me.

Which means I immediately felt the need to examine it and realized the horror of what you are suggesting. Imprisoning people for their beliefs.

[cbayer]

24. I don't think that is what he is suggesting.

There are many in the hierarchy that are guilty of crimes. There is currently a priest on house arrest awaiting his Vatican trial on charges of pedophilia.

I could be wrong, but i don't think he is suggesting that people be incarcerated for their beliefs.

[Historic NY]

30. Just so you know he has been removed

by the Pope from his role as the Vaticans Chief Justice...He is at the heart of some of the scandals. Imprisoned, no he will get a little apartment and live under the control of Rome.


http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/cardinal-burke-reportedly-confirms-vatican-ouster

[tanyev]

26. Nope. You just don't like the direction he's steering it, Cardinal.

[rurallib]

28. Don't know if I ever remember a cardinal criticizing a pope publicly

probably has happened.
So much for the united front, top down structure

[trotsky]

29. Don't know why he is concerned.

His church is still on the same course. No equality for women, no recognition of same-sex relationships, homosexuality is still a sin, etc. All the same.