Archbishop Raymond Burke, St. Louis’ honored and controversial Catholic spiritual leader, is packing his bags and heading to Rome-for good.
In his wake, waves of memories arise. Some are candid and thoughtful; others are borderline infamous. No matter how many parties he offended by sticking rigidly to Church principles, Burke must be commended for the challenges he gave his flock to digest.
Burke made people think. Burke made people care.
Since his arrival in St. Louis, the Wisconsin native has developed a reputation as an unyielding defender of the Catholic faith. This tenacity and persistence likely earned him his promotion to the role of prefect of the Apostolic Signatura-a sort of Supreme Court of the Catholic Church.
Before he arrived in St. Louis, for example, Burke attracted attention for stating that he’d deny Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry the Eucharist, due to Kerry’s abortion-rights stance. Lest you think he’d go easy on Republicans who supported the legality of abortion, Burke made the same move with one-time presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.
He took it a step further by claiming that a layperson’s vote for one of these candidates was a grevious sin, that the voter should receive the Sacrament of Penance before taking Communion.
From a young age, we learn that politics and religion are never to mix. But Burke has often eschewed this distinction, both on a national and a local level. He also played politics on a local field. He demanded that members of the lay board of traditionally Polish St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in St. Louis relinquish their property and funds to the Mother Church. When they refused, Burke excommunicated them.
Burke also reprimanded Saint Louis University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Majerus for hisww abortion rights stance in the media. The firestorm called SLU’s status as a religious institution into question.
Some say Burke hard-headed. Others say he’s faithful.
Regardless of where your loyalties and feelings lie regarding Burke, it must be admitted that he challenged his flock. He challenged us to consider our beliefs and take sides on some of the most controversial topics of our time.
This role is vital. Burke fulfilled his duties as an archbishop by upholding the laws of the church, and he provided an excellent crucible whereby we, as citizens, could test our views.
To the next archbishop, and to religious leaders everywhere: Challenge us. Don’t be afraid to take a firm stand. Learn from Burke. His battles weren’t with Biondi, Majerus, Kerry or St. Stanislaus. He waged battle with ambiguity and apathy.
