Archbishop Burke leaving?

Well, this is a sad day for atheism in St. Louis.

I had dealings with Bishop Burke when he consolidated the Catholic school system here in La Crosse. In what became his trademark he took a good idea or position and completely screwed it up with his high-handed and hard-hearted attitude and rhetoric. He also has no idea how to communicate with other people; he may be too smart for his own good. Finally, in order to protect his friend who ran the schools (I think you fine folks are bedevilled with him now) he flat out lied to my face. More than anything else in my life that shook my faith to the core. Keep telling yourself: He’s not the Church; he’s just a man.

So long, Ray. Don’t let the door hit you in your inflexible, unsympathetic, uncaring, holier-than-thou butt. May you withdraw into the obscurity that you so richly deserve.

Most of us won’t miss you and will welcome the opportunity for the Vatican to correct the misstep that brought you here (while never publicly admitting it).

During a time of economic instability, war, and natural disasters, I guess I expect more from my religious leaders than their enforcement of church doctrine. I have always hoped that Archbishop Burke would provide more guidance to Catholics in the Archdiocese on living Jesus’ teachings. I thought being Catholic was about loving even your enemies and welcoming them into your home even when you disagree with them. I hope our next Archbishop will promote peace, love, generosity and tolerance to Catholics in the St. Louis Archdiocese.

Bishop Edward Braxton, currently head of the Belleville Diocese should be elevated to St. Louis’s next Arch-Bishop! Despite racially-motivated attempts to remove him from his current position, he has been a steadfast steward of his flock. Bishop Braxton is a man of deep learning and abundant heart. In these times of reduced vocations, Bishop Braxton is needed in St. Louis (even though he was previously stationed at the Cathedral Basillica). White people among the clergy and the laity have struggled to take down this great African-American Catholic leader, so we need to install him where he will do the most good and fill the most need: BISHOP EDWARD BRAXTON SHOULD BE THE NEXT ARCH BISHOP OF ST. LOUIS!!!

Bishop Braxton has already been caught pilfering the Sunday collections for his own pocket! It’s bad enough that AB Burke wanted to syphon the assets of St. Stanislaus parish. Now you want to bring in a known thief! Oh, but for the hard-core “faithful” around here, wearing the Roman collar and being ordained puts you above reproach…or the law…

Of what use is a teacher who alienates a significan number of his students? Or a politician who hasn’t developed the savy to work with his constituency? Or a parent who is naive (or worse)blind to the reality of raising kids who are not yet adults? A doctor whose bedside manner drives his patients away? A football coach unable to inspire his players?

We all know that teachers, politicians, parents, doctors and football coaches have to be strong leaders, but they have to figure out a way to be effective, without alienating those they have been given responsibility over.

The same is true with a bishop. He has to have the savy to defend the faith without consistently offending the faithful. Man has come of age, and we are no longer willing to be subjected to the pompous and unyielding among us!

It is so sad to see this hatred from so many supposedly Catholic people. Obviously those who wrote such things do not know Archbishop Burke and have not taken the time educate themselves on Church teachings or the facts relative to the events of the past few years in St Louis. I understand that those who speak ill of him very likely know that he speaks only the truth and that is what bothers them so much. It is easy to feel good about your sins when someone in authority is accepting of them. It is much harder to face yourself when a true moral compass such as Archbishop Burke leaves no doubt as to what is right and what is wrong.

You do not realize how truly blessed you were to have him as your sheppard. I have known him personnaly for many years. He is a most humble person who does all that he does to serve Jesus Christ and his Church. He puts his personal interests aside to teach the word of God without watering it down. Remember that Jesus said it would be difficult to get to heaven. We will not get there by being tolerant of erroneous teachings. Archbishop Burke pointed out error where he saw it. For him to ignore that error, he would be personnaly responsible for misleading those under his care. He takes his responsibility to shepard his flock most seriously. He can lead and if we refuse to follow, then we will need to answer to God on that judgement day. If all of our bishops were so corrageous, many if not most of the ills of our society would be driven out.

Over the years I have drawn much personal spiritual strength from Archbishop Burke. He has been ridiculed by many just as Jesus was for teaching the truth. His reward will be great in heaven. I am sure he seeks no reward here on earth. That is why he can continue to withstand the evils of this world. I send my love and prayers with him whereaver he is asked to serve. He is a great man.

Really? Face of Christ? Is that really how you think Christ would act?

Sad day for Rome, happy day for St. Louis. This chump can’t get out of town fast enough for me!