In a surprising move, Pope Francis has taken action against conservative American Cardinal Raymond Burke for what he perceives as “disunity” within the church. This marks the second time the pontiff has taken such action against Burke, according to two Vatican insiders.
During a recent meeting with the heads of Vatican offices, Pope Francis expressed his decision to punish Burke, citing his actions as a source of disunity. The details of the meeting were shared by two participants who spoke on the condition of anonymity. One participant revealed that the pontiff would be revoking Burke’s salary as a retired cardinal, as well as his privilege of having a subsidized Vatican apartment. These measures were taken because Burke allegedly used the resources against the Catholic church.
It is worth noting that Burke had not been officially notified of these measures at the time of reporting. The 75-year-old cardinal has gained prominence in Catholic media due to his consistent criticisms of decisions made under Pope Francis. However, he has always maintained his loyalty to the pontiff and denied any animosity towards him.
Burke’s demotions began in 2016 when he was stripped of honors and multiple offices within the church. Despite these demotions, Burke has chosen to remain silent on the matter and has rejected any characterization of hostility towards the Holy See.
Cardinal Burke has been known for joining other conservative cardinals in raising questions to Pope Francis regarding matters of doctrine that have upset conservatives and traditionalists. However, their inquiries have often gone unanswered. Specifically, they sought clarification on the pope’s stance on divorce and civilly remarried Catholics, as well as whether same-sex couples could receive church blessings.
This recent action against Cardinal Burke comes shortly after Pope Francis removed another conservative bishop, Joseph Strickland, from his post in Tyler, Texas. Strickland, like Burke, had become a vocal critic of the pontiff’s actions.
While the Vatican has not denied the reports of Pope Francis’ decision, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni declined to comment on the matter, referring questions to Cardinal Burke.
In conclusion, Pope Francis’ decision to punish Cardinal Raymond Burke for what he perceives as disunity within the church has sparked controversy. This marks the second time the pontiff has taken such action against Burke, further highlighting a growing divide within the Catholic Church.
