Pope Francis has taken an unprecedented step to evict Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent American conservative, from his Vatican apartment and strip him of his salary, the BBC revealed this Wednesday.
This measure comes in response to long-standing doctrinal disputes within the Catholic Church, adding fuel to already simmering tensions between the Pope and conservative factions.
Background and doctrinal disputes between the Pope and Burke
Cardinal Burke, a 75-year-old figurehead of American conservatism within the Church, has been an outspoken critic of Pope Francis’s progressive reforms.
The pope’s plan to overthrow the cardinal is not a personal punishment, according to Vatican sources, but rather a stance against “the enjoyment of cardinal privileges” while openly opposing the head of the church.
Christopher White, a Vatican watcher, told the BBC that evicting a cardinal from his Vatican residence sets an unprecedented precedent in the Francis era.
This decision is likely to spark controversy and potentially deepen divisions within the Vatican and the American Church, which are already struggling with internal fragmentation.
The Pope’s frustration and his recent actions
The pope’s frustration with detractors, particularly those who hold traditional or conservative views, has become increasingly evident.
Earlier this month, he removed Joseph Strickland, a conservative Texas bishop who is critical of the pope’s progressive stances on issues such as abortion, transgender rights and same-sex marriage. The dismissal followed a church investigation into the governance of the Diocese of Strickland.
Pope Francis has expressed concern about what he perceives as a “strong, organized and reactionary attitude” within the American Church, calling it “backward.”
This latest move against Cardinal Burke reflects the Pope’s determination to address what he sees as a weakening of the church’s progressive agenda.
Tensions that last a decade
Tensions between Pope Francis and Cardinal Burke have been brewing for almost a decade. The cardinal, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, openly criticized Pope Francis on various social and liturgical issues.
The Pope’s recent action is seen as an effort to limit Burke’s influence by cutting his ties with Rome, accusing him of fostering a cult of personality around traditionalism and regressive ideals.
Cardinal Burke’s recent involvement in organizing a conference called “Synodal Babel” and his involvement in publishing a “declaration of truths” in 2019, criticizing the direction of the church under Pope Francis, further exacerbated the discord. between the two figures.
Observers within the Catholic Church anticipate a significant backlash and deeper divisions between the Vatican and the American Church following this unprecedented move.
Michael Matt, a columnist for The Remnant, accused Pope Francis of “canceling faithful prelates” who provide support to pro-life, pro-family and pro-tradition hardliners, pushing critics into “forced isolation.”
Cardinal Burke has not yet responded to the news of the eviction and the repercussions of this decision remain uncertain.
This announcement by the news network comes shortly after the Supreme Pontiff, who will turn 87 on December 17, stated that he is still not in good health, so the speech would be read by his collaborator.
Additionally, Pope Francis, a prominent advocate for environmental action, canceled his planned visit to Dubai for the COP28 climate summit due to a new flu and lung inflammation.
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