St. Louis Prelate Aims to Bring Flock in Line - Archbishop Burke Takes Firm Stance on Social Issues
The Washington Post profiles St. Louis' Archbishop Burke:
ST. LOUIS -- When it comes to expressing his views of church values, Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke has a habit of making headlines, not always to the satisfaction of his flock.
Burke memorably declared that he would deny Communion to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) because the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee supports abortion rights. He fought unsuccessfully to keep singer Sheryl Crow, who supports embryonic stem cell research, from headlining an April fundraiser for the Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, then resigned from the hospital foundation's board in protest.
Just this month, his office pushed St. Joseph's Academy, a Catholic high school, to renege on its invitation to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) to deliver this year's commencement address because of her abortion-rights position, even though McCaskill's daughter was in the graduating class. McCaskill was uninvited.
At a time when significant segments of the Catholic population are breaking with the church on such issues as embryonic stem cell research and abortion, Burke is adhering to Vatican orthodoxy endorsed by Pope Benedict XVI -- and he expects the same of all Catholics in his archdiocese.
He tells his critics that he has "no agenda but the church."
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UPDATE (30 May 2007)
Mollie at GetReligion dissects the Post piece:
It’s a very curious read. Anyone wanting to know more about Burke or his theological approach to his office will be disappointed. Anyone wanting to know more about how some religious leaders balance concerns about public opinion and fidelity to doctrine will be disappointed. Anyone wanting a substantive debate about whether the church has the right to be, well, churchy in the public square will be disappointed. Anybody wanting a balanced look at how Roman Catholics in St. Louis feel about Burke will be disappointed. Fact is, I can’t think of a single group of people who would have any positive thoughts about this piece, other than folks who oppose church teaching on social issues.(Hat tip: Amy Welborn)
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Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
This Week's Rosie Award Winner: "Comedian" Billy Crystal
Catholic Archbishop Mocked in His Own Diocese at a Catholic Charities-Sponsored Fundraiser on Church Property
The Final Word on Pro-Abort Pols and Communion?
Labels: Bishops, Catholic Social Teaching, Culture of Death, Dissident Catholics, Manly Men
posted by Pro Ecclesia 10:21 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
"What if, for instance, there were someone appearing who we discovered was openly racist and who made statements and took actions to promote racism?" Burke asked. "Do you think that I would let that go on?"
Given that the hospital is named for just such a person, I think the Archbishop looks a little foolish making this statment.
Abp Burke also sent a strong warning to Congressman Obey (D-WI) and a State legislator-ette about their support of abortion when the Abp. was Bp. of LaCrosse, WI.
Yes, he did. And the new bishop of LaCrosse appointed by the Pope has taken a more pastoral stance.
"Pastoral". What a misused word. It's hardly "pastoral" for a shepherd to allow his sheep to do things which cause harm to themselves and the rest of the flock.
I wonder if people who use the term "pastoral" to describe bishops who don't take a stand against those who stray from Church teachings are aware of how a shepherd brings back into line the problem sheep that continues to wander too far away from the fold.
You say that "It's hardly "pastoral" for a shepherd to allow his sheep to do things which cause harm to themselves and the rest of the flock."
It is simply not true that any of his "sheep" were harmed by attending a fundraiser that Crow was at.
TYou also state: "I wonder if people who use the term "pastoral" to describe bishops who don't take a stand against those who stray from Church teachings"
There is no Catholic doctrine that it is a sin to attend a fundraiser with Ms. Crow. No Catholic has sinned or wandered from the fold because they have colaborated with Crow to raise money for sick children.
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