Francis Dumps U.S. Cardinal Who Is Outspoken Critic Of Abortion, Gay Marriage

[cbayer]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/francis-dumps-u-s-cardinal-who-is-outspoken-critic-of-abortion-gay-marriage



ASSOCIATED PRESS – DECEMBER 17, 2013, 9:01 AM EST

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Pope Francis announced changes in the influential Vatican office that evaluates and nominates candidates for bishop around the world.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington was appointed Monday to the Congregation for Bishops. The pope also reconfirmed Cardinal William Levada, the former archbishop of San Francisco and former head of the Vatican's orthodoxy watchdog office.

Some members of the congregation were very conspicuously not retained. Cardinal Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis, will no longer serve in the office.

Burke is considered an outspoken critic of abortion and same-sex marriage and a favorite of conservative Catholics. He has also been publicly critical of Francis's changes in the direction of the church. Burke retains his position as the head of the Vatican high court, the Apostolic Signatura.

more at link

[cleanhippie]

1. But not for his views on abortion or LGBT's.

Which are the same views the Pope holds.

That is pure speculation by the author.

[rug]

2. Burke was the point man in the U.S. on injecting his views into politics.

Including denying Communion to candidates in the middle of an election.

This is significant.

The whole point is keeping religious views out of politics, not the views themselves. Unless you want to have an entirely different discussion.

[cleanhippie]

4. So you think he was fired for injecting his (and RCC and the pope's) views into politics

But not for holding those views?

I would agree with that.

[rug]

8. It's consistent with the tone Francis has been setting.

Whether it was done honestly or cynically, I don't think Burke was the man he wanted.

[cleanhippie]

9. I guess I'll take what we can get.

If his mission is to get religious views out of politics, I support that.

I'm still bothered by those that say Burke was fired BECAUSE of his views, which is likely to be false. That assertion is pure speculation since Francis didn't say that was the reason AND since those views are the exact same as his own.

[cbayer]

5. Did you happen to see this?

But, hey, what does The Advocate know about homophobic bigots?

[rug]

11. No, I didn't. If I had just glanced at the cover I would have thought it was satire.

Sure enough, it's true.

Here's the article.

http://www.advocate.com/year-review/2013/12/16/advocates-person-year-pope-francis

[cbayer]

12. I thought we were being punked at first, too.

Thanks for the link to the article.

When it (eventually) downloads, I will read it.

[pinto]

3. This is a pretty important bureaucratic change. Much of church policy is made at that level.

It's a long established, hidebound bureaucracy. Good move by Francis. We'll see how it plays out.

[cbayer]

7. I think it speaks volumes.

[trotsky]

10. Does it?

Then what did this say?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/pope-francis-conn-appointment-draws-criticism/2013/11/04/9d70adda-45a3-11e3-95a9-3f15b5618ba8_story.html

Advocates for sexual abuse victims say that’s not the kind of man Francis promoted to Hartford.

“Either Pope Francis is asleep at the wheel and has no idea who he’s promoted, or he is ambivalent,” said Claudia Vercellotti, co-coordinator of the Toledo chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “Either way, it’s dangerous.”

I know, I know, any news that doesn't match with your pre-conceived narrative must be ignored. Just thought it interesting that you would jump at the chance to read a lot into this move, but you didn't have a thing to say about the previous one.

Consistency is overrated I guess.

[skepticscott]

6. Ummmm..the whole freaking church

is an "outspoken critic of abortion and same sex marriage" for pity's sake. What policy, doctrine or teaching of the RCC does this change?

He's not being removed from that spot because he's against abortion and same-sex marriage, nor is he being replaced with someone who approves of those things. His replacement will have exactly the same positions on those issues, without any doubt.

[uriel1972]

13. I'm sure the "publicly critical of Francis' changes" has nothing to do with it...

Oh yes, that was sarcasm.