Why Is Cardinal Burke Being Demoted?

The news is all over the internet that Cardinal Raymond Burke, current head of the Apostolic Signatura, is to be relieved of that post and to be relegated to "patron of the Order of Malta".  See LifeSiteNews, Chiesa, Remnant, Breitbart.  Some time ago, the Cardinal was removed from his post at the Congregation for Bishops.  It seems that he was deemed to still have too much voice and influence at the Vatican, so off he has to go!

As head of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Burke was slated to attend the Extraordinary Synod on the Family.  He has always been a defender of the practice of withholding Holy Communion from those Catholics who are divorced and civilly remarried. It is said that he collaborated with Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller and three other cardinals in writing a book that will be released October 1, warning the Synod not to relax nor change Church teachings regarding Communion to divorced and civilly remarried people.

That this demotion - and the 20-couple wedding extravaganza - occurs just before the Synod, is much more than mere coincidence.  I must agree with Rorate Caeli that this move against Burke is a direct insult and punishment for Burke's fidelity and courage in standing for the Tradition and teachings of the Church.

The "Patron of the Order of Malta" is merely a symbolic position, reserved for those prelates at or beyond retirement age.  But Cardinal Burke is only 66 years old.  That one of the few faithful prelates is being so degraded does, quite frankly, reflect badly on the judgment of Pope Francis.

Congregation For Bishops - Burke Out, Wuerl In - Bad News No Matter How You Slice It

The Congregation of Bishops plays an influential role in the selection and vetting of future bishops.  Several years ago Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Burke to this body.  While we lamented his loss state-side, we immediately saw the potential for much good.  Today, with Cardinal Burke not being confirmed on that body and Cardinal Wuerl's addition to it,  that good seems to be somewhat curtailed.  Consider the following about Cardinal Wuerl,

• Propensity to close Catholic schools
• Adamant refusal to folllow Canon 915
• His role in Father Guarnizo's situation (and yes, Bishop Knestout was simply the fall-guy)

What on earth is the Holy Father thinking?  I only have two words for this:

1. Yikes!
2. Pray!

Great News from the Vatican!

Archbishop Raymond Burke is one of two prelates who was just appointed to serve on the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops. Consider his excellent record as Archbishop of St Louis. He exposed "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" as the nonsense that it is. He pronounced excommunication over some woman-priest-wannabees who dared to mock the Sacrament of Holy Orders within his archdiocese. He upheld Canon 915.

Now consider that this Congregation oversees the selection of bishops worldwide! Do we now see the great potential for lasting good that Archbishop Burke's appointment promises?