The Argentinian solution.*
It is highly unusual for a pope to remove an official of Cardinal Burke's stature and age without assigning him comparable responsibilities elsewhere. - Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News Service.
Actually, that statement coming from the US Bishops News Service strikes me as highly unusual - or at least provocative. The Pope counsels against gossip, but this almost fuels the fire. One cannot avoid seeing, hearing, reading some sort of speculation and harsh criticism of what is happening in the Church.
It gets confusing at times.
*FYI - The figure in the plane is giving a thumbs up - not the finger.
*FYI - The figure in the plane is giving a thumbs up - not the finger.
Isn't this what the Military Junta did in Argentina, throw people out of planes?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the term "provocative." Catholic News Service definitely has a leftward slant. Their movie reviews are horrendous. Remember Brokeback Mountain? I suspect the staff over there are chortling over Burke's removal. So why not intimate that he is being purged for being (ala the Synod) too Pharisaical and rigid. Let us pray he spends a lot of time writing and defending the faith. He will certainly have more time for it. Besides, you can't keep a good man down as the saying goes. Lucky Malta!
ReplyDeleteI think Cardinal Burke will be fine - I've read some really nasty things said about him - I can only imagine how hurt full that is for him. Sadly, one of the worst comments I came across was at Fr. Martin's Facebook post - evidently from a monk.
DeleteI think he remains in Rome and the only real connection to Malta is being Patron of the Knights.
This is the comment I was referring to :
DeleteDom Harold James Norwood Well, Pope Francis certainly knows best and I congratulate cardinal Burke on his new appointment to which he ought to fit into like a glove being largely ceremonial which the cardinal very much likes and he will have more than ample opportunity to use his ermine trimmed cappa magna too. All so fitting for a prelate of a 'princely' like mentality and dress! Congratulations and I wish him all the very best. He will most certainly be in the presence of nobles now from the Order of Malta and not the faithful who smell of sheep ! The problem was that he criticised the Holy Father in a most vehement way, publicly showing his apparent lack of loyality and immaturity, for he should have known that only the Holy Father could have 'won' any confrontation which was of Burke's own making. Actually, Catherine, he was not appointed as GrandMaster. The GrandMaster of which is an english man ! Burke was given an honorific position of "Cardinal Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta." Another major point was that Burke thought that he had a monopoly on his version of the truth on what Pope Francis could or could not do and Pope Francis was then expected to fall down in awe in front of the cardinals pontifical embroidered buskins (slippers) ! How absurd to think of such a thing. Pope Francis is the Supreme Pastor of the Church and Successor of St. Peter on whom Christ built and founded His Church. As a postscript: At least he will not be taking part in next years Synod of Bishops.In fact he has absolutely no pastoral, governance, or judicial position at all now within the Church.
I am of the opinion that Cardinal Burke has gifts that have not yet been revealed. Gifts that perhaps, over time, may come to fruition as he spends more time with Jesus away from the Vatican watchers and online pot stirrers.
ReplyDeleteWho knows? Maybe he and our Papa will reach an accord and work together for the benefit of all. Despite all the clamor from both aisles, only they truly know what happened and why...it does not affect my faith one way or another.
Those are my thoughts and my hopes. I'm gonna remain positive. ^^
Now, of course, some choose to take potshots at him which I find distasteful while at the same time, these same folks throw our Holy Father in for good measure so they can feel good about tearing Cardinal Burke down.
I had not ever heard of him until Papa Emerito resigned and some were saying they hoped he would be pope. Now, perhaps, he has an opportunity to seek an even deeper relationship with the Lord in service of His Church and of His people. He can show us how to do the same. I hope all goes well.
I read about the Knights of Malta on Kathy Schieffer's blog. They are a very noble group of Catholic faithful with ancient roots. They will benefit from his guidance and he will benefit from their fraternity and good works in service of the poor and marginalized.
What was it that the great Saint Paul always tells us?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
And so it is, kind readers of Terry's blog...this is where our hopes should lie. I know mine do.
God bless you all!
I'm losing interest in the story and the news makers involved. None of this media play back comes from the Spirit of God.
DeleteLet the band play on.
Over at St. Peter's List there is a lovely photo-tribute to Card. Burke: and sound information about the Order of Malta: I wonder....will he get to wear the same outfit as all those others ?! very Star-Treky. I Love the black with the white accents and the big white cross !
ReplyDeleteLately....with world-wide disarray....the rampant confusion...the suspense of it all....I find that I am far from alone in feeling spiritually vulnerable, and that we are in the midst of great poverty of spirit, which is such a shame, as for sure Our Great Good God is with us, always, we Are Not Orphans, and Christ will prevail. Nevertheless....it is like living in a suspense novel where one is a bit afraid to turn the page...what next, etc.
The Rosary: Mass.
Lou