Wisconsin native Cardinal Raymond Burke calls for 'new evangelization'

 

…..Burke bolstered that reputation at the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome, where he joined other conservatives in rejecting efforts to change teaching — and in some cases, just tone — on how the church responds to gay relationships, marriage, divorce and contraception.

In the wake of the synod, he has amplified his criticism, likening the church to a "rudderless ship" under the current pontiff in a recent interview.

Burke has been twice demoted since the former archbishop of Buenos Aires succeeded Pope Benedict in March 2013.

Removed from post

Last year, Francis removed Burke from an influential panel that helps select American bishops. Last month, Burke was removed from the curia, or Vatican bureaucracy, with his demotion from the Vatican court to the largely ceremonial position as patron of the Knights of Malta.

Vatican watchers have debated whether the moves were punitive or meant to silence Burke.

Author and longtime Vatican journalist John Thavis sees them as neither.

Thavis said it is not unusual for a new pontiff to bring in his own people, and that Francis still has critics in the curia.

"The pope wants those people to be part of the discussion in the church," said Thavis, author of "The Vatican Diaries," who blogs at www.johnthavis.com.

He does not believe the moves would likely silence Burke.

"I expect that he will keep speaking his mind. He certainly never hesitated in the past, and I don't think his new job came with a gag order," he said. "On the other hand, his influence is lessened."

Burke will no longer have an automatic seat at key Vatican meetings, according to Thavis. And some have questioned whether he will be invited to take part in next year's follow-up to the Synod of Bishops on the Family.

In his remarks Thursday, Burke quoted extensively from the writings of Pope John Paul II — whose name elicited applause from the crowd — and Pope Benedict XVI. He did not reference Francis directly, or the controversy surrounding the Synod of Bishops….

His reference to spiritual "seasickness," which echoed his recent remarks he made about Francis to a Spanish newspaper, drew quiet laughter in some parts of the room.

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