06.27.2008 7:46 am

Burke leaving St. Louis for Rome; what’s next for the local Catholic church?

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

After a relatively brief, and somewhat stormy tenure as archbishop of the Catholic church in St. Louis, Raymond Burke is leaving. He’s expected to remain until a bit later in the summer, when he moves to Rome for his position as “Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.”

Burke’s time in St. Louis has been marked by a number of controversies. He has condemned the ordination of “women priests” by another faith community. He has been in a battle over control of St. Stanislaus Church in St. Louis. He said he would not offer communion to politicians who do not stand by Catholic church doctrine.

What does his departure mean for the church here now? What are the qualities you’d like to see in his successor?

241 comments

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Blog Comments: Rules of the Road

Just proves the old adage foul up, move up.

— slamfist

7:51 am June 27th, 2008

Wonderful! There really is a God. It appears that he was bucking for the position and he got it. Now most of my Catholic relatives can rejoice, he’s gone.

— Tom

8:05 am June 27th, 2008

Congratulations to Raymond Burke.I think as a Catholic that he was doing his job to uphold the rules of the Catholic Church.Someone must!

— momama

8:10 am June 27th, 2008

I am far from AB Burke’s biggest fan, but even I have to acknowledge he is an excellent lawyer. I think Pope Benedict was wise to appoint AB Burke to the Catholic High Court, he will make a much better judge than minister to the flock of St. Louis.

I hope the next Arch Bishop here is chosen more for his ability to tend to the souls of parishioners than his iron handed adherence to the letter of Cannon law. Perhaps then the local Catholic churches would start gaining members rather than alienating them.

— Anonaman

8:11 am June 27th, 2008

His departure means unity and healing. His successor has very little shoes to fill. Most Catholics would be open to someone that walks in with a heart and smaller ego.

— Gina

8:13 am June 27th, 2008

Now he can sit on some kangaroo court in Rome and tell couples who are applying for annulments to send more $$$$$$$$.

He really was a PR nightmare for the catholic church in STL.

— mike in south city

8:15 am June 27th, 2008

I think it is time to shake the dust from our feet from this “church” Burke aspired to create for us, and begin praying the church appoints a Good Shepherd, whose calling it is to find and bring back lost sheep, not exclude and condemn them.

— kevin

8:16 am June 27th, 2008

It is a difficult position to be the face of the Church and to stand up for it in times of adversity. Burke never backed down from Catholic doctrine which is what makes our Church the Catholic Church.

Do I agree with the reasons that Burke has come out and said the things he said? Yes. Do I feel it was in the most loving, compassionate way? Mmmm, I don’t know. But I believe in the teachings of the Church and I also believe that Burke upheld them without backing down.

My best wishes to Burke and I ask that all people, Catholic or not, to pray for our newly appointed shepard of our diocese.

— Lewy

8:18 am June 27th, 2008

Burke will fit right in with that nazi of a pope… the Catholic church is headed in a downward spiral anyways… good riddance to Burke and may he rot in hell right next to Adolph Hitler and Ronald Reagan

— PBR

8:23 am June 27th, 2008

Since now he will certainly become a Cardinal, maybe he will become the next Pope!

— STL

8:26 am June 27th, 2008

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Burke leaving St. Louis for Rome; what’s next for the local Catholic church?

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