Cardinal Burke and Grand Master Festing defied wishes of Pope Francis by sacking Grand Chancellor

[gilliam]

Cardinal Raymond Burke and the Knights of Malta’s leader defied the wishes of Pope Francis and the Holy See when they sacked a senior figure in a row about the distribution of condoms.

Letters seen by The Tablet reveal that Francis specifically requested no one be dismissed in a dispute that saw Albrecht von Boeselager thrown out as Grand Chancellor and then suspended from the Order.

The respected German Knight was last month sacked by the Knights’ Grand Master, Matthew Festing, in the presence of the Order’s patron and prominent conservative critic of Francis, Cardinal Burke. Both of them had claimed that the dismissal was in “accordance with the wishes of the Holy See”.

Boeselager, who had previously run the Order’s charitable arm, had been accused of distributing condoms and failing to accept Church teaching on sexual matters - charges he strongly denies.

But now it has emerged that Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told Festing that the Pope did not want Boeselager sacked. As a result, the Holy See decided to set up an investigation into the Knights.

ow.ly/cJ0S307IkAu

 

[ringil]

Is Burke acting as a loose cannon?

I am eager to read what the investigation uncovers.

 

[twf]

Is Burke acting as a loose cannon?

I am eager to read what the investigation uncovers.

I don’t understand the Holy Father sometimes. Is not the distribution of condoms contrary to the faith? Furthermore, His Holiness has spoken more than once about his commitment of synodality…yet he jumps in to micromanage an ancient order that is sovereign under international law? If the Pope simply expressed his desire to not discipline the Grand Chancellor, it would still be within the Grand Master’s rights to take action. It would be quite extraordinary, I think, for the Pope to expressly command such when it pertains to the internal governance of a sovereign entity. Cardinal Burke also doesn’t “manage” the Order. He’s the Patron. He may have advised. That’s it. This would have been the decision of the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council.

I also wouldn’t use the term “loose cannon” in reference to a prince of the Church. There are Cardinals who have expressed opinions that I find quite scandalous, but I would never speak ill of them. Cardinal Burke seems to be everyone’s Public Enemy No 1 these days…seems any prelate who isn’t a carbon copy of the current Pontiff is fair game for attacks by the laity.

 

[ringil]

Cardinal Burke seems to be everyone’s Public Enemy No 1 these days…

Really, I see him being lionized as some kind of voice for true orthodoxy in the Church and the Pope is being consistently criticized.

 

[twf]

Really, I see him being lionized as some kind of voice for true orthodoxy in the Church and the Pope is being consistently criticized.

Depends who you ask. Of course for most of Church history the average Catholic wouldn’t have been aware of such disputes and Church politics…though it’s always gone on. The Pope of the day and every bishop being on the same page has never ever happened…not for a moment.

 

[TMC]

I don’t understand the Holy Father sometimes. Is not the distribution of condoms contrary to the faith? Furthermore, His Holiness has spoken more than once about his commitment of synodality…yet he jumps in to micromanage an ancient order that is sovereign under international law? If the Pope simply expressed his desire to not discipline the Grand Chancellor, it would still be within the Grand Master’s rights to take action. It would be quite extraordinary, I think, for the Pope to expressly command such when it pertains to the internal governance of a sovereign entity. Cardinal Burke also doesn’t “manage” the Order. He’s the Patron. He may have advised. That’s it. This would have been the decision of the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council.

I also wouldn’t use the term “loose cannon” in reference to a prince of the Church. There are Cardinals who have expressed opinions that I find quite scandalous, but I would never speak ill of them. Cardinal Burke seems to be everyone’s Public Enemy No 1 these days…seems any prelate who isn’t a carbon copy of the current Pontiff is fair game for attacks by the laity.

It seems to me that the issue is not whether the Pope has the ability to control the Order (although I think he does). I think the issue is the allegation that deliberate misrepresentations were made about the Pope’s statements, and that those allegedly false representations were made to influence the Order’s decision. That seems like a pretty serious charge, and worth looking into.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’m not sure I trust the tablet on this.

 

[godisgood77]

It seems to me that the issue is not whether the Pope has the ability to control the Order (although I think he does). I think the issue is the allegation that deliberate misrepresentations were made about the Pope’s statements, and that those allegedly false representations were made to influence the Order’s decision. That seems like a pretty serious charge, and worth looking into.

I fully agree with this post. If Festing and +Burke represented that his forceful removal was in accord with the wished of the Holy See, that is a serious issue. Further, if it was represented that the Holy See may take control of the Order’s assets (as it has been reported in a few places) as a result of the condom row, that is pretty bad to. Seems like an independent investigation is in order.

As an aside, I don’t have an issue with +Burke per se, but I find it disturbing that he has boasted on multiple occasions that he seems to get in to trouble wherever he goes. Seems like he may enjoy agitating. I’m not questioning his intentions or Catholicity, but it seems like he surrounds himself with folks that think just like he does and that leads to a smaller, less diverse view of the world.

Further, it’s a little troubling that the Lepanto Institute delivered there study findings on the condom row directly to +Burke. The Lepanto Institute has been condemned by the likes of Archbishop Chaput and other church leaders as less than credible… for instance, here are some comments from Chaput:

The Lepanto Institute and Church Militant have proven once again that they are not interested in presenting information in any useful way. Neither the World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015 nor any of its leadership supports Planned Parenthood. The sole desire of both Lepanto and Church Militant is to create division, confusion, and conflict within the Church. Actions of that nature run contrary to Christian tradition. Their reports are not to be taken seriously.

My family is praying for our church leaders…for humility, wisdom and charity. It’s unfortunate to have to watch the internal church conflicts play out in the media like a Jerry Springer show…

 

[Joe_5859]

I’m not sure I trust the tablet on this.

Indeed. I find the best response in cases like this is to simply admit that I don’t, nor will I likely ever, have all the pertinent facts. So there is no reason for me to think ill of either Pope Francis or Cardinal Burke.

Articles like this are designed to further the narrative of liberal vs. conservative, Francis vs. Burke. I don’t feel particularly compelled to play along with that.

 

[mrdrifter]

This thread does not represent a new story. It should be moved to the “Scandal strikes at ancient Order of Malta over ex-chancellor” thread.

 

[Stat_Crux]

Cardinal Raymond Burke and the Knights of Malta’s leader defied the wishes of Pope Francis and the Holy See when they sacked a senior figure in a row about the distribution of condoms.

With respect, this sentence is phrased as though it is a conclusive fact. However, the article comes from an author who has not exactly taken an unbiased position when reporting on the Five Dubia on Amoris Laetitia, of which Cardinal Burke was one of the authors.

If there is an official Vatican review of the situation currently underway, it is suspicious that this “letter” would have been leaked to the press before the process has concluded. Who could possibly gain from leaking this into the public arena before the inquiry has finished its procedures, at which point it might well have been officially released anyway?

Far too much of this investigation is being carried out in the court of public opinion based on rumour and hearsay for us to form any credible opinion.

 

[robertmidwest]

Is Burke acting as a loose cannon?

Yes.

 

[Robert_Bay]

Please review the forum rules when discussing Catholic clerics.

No derogatory or uncharitable remarks.

 

[fin]

Lepanto Institute is a an excellent organization.

They are honest about the irregularities regarding certain Catholic institutions.

Seems to me faithful Catholics and prelates are constantly being criticized for being ‘rigid’.

 

[mdgspencer]

Since this matter lay beyond the Pope’s authority, they were free to follow their own judgment.
However, letters as a source for this charge seem an untrustworthy source. Anyone can write a letter–how can we actually know this actually happened?

 

[pnewton]

Since the earlier news said that the move was made with the consent of the Holy Father, I think it best to assume that the Grand Master and Cardinal Burke did just that, at least to the best of their knowledge. I find it hard to believe in a deliberate act of disobedience to remove someone from office* for *disobedience, especially for someone like Cardinal Burke. My irony meter points to Implausible.

 

[robertmidwest]

Since the earlier news said that the move was made with the consent of the Holy Father

Please cite a source. ALL the sources I have seen indicate that Pope Francis did not request the move.

 

[robertmidwest]

Since this matter lay beyond the Pope’s authority

They are an organization that is obedient to the pope. He has the authority. There are numerous article cited on this and the other thread already establishing this.

 

[pnewton]

Please cite a source. ALL the sources I have seen indicate that Pope Francis did not request the move.

You are right. I misread the articles earlier. Therefore I will modify what I said. The most charitable reading would be that the order acted in what they believe their capacity to do what was best for the order, on their own. I am not willing to believe open disobedience without proof. That would not be proper.

 

[pnewton]

They are an organization that is obedient to the pope. He has the authority. There are numerous article cited on this and the other thread already establishing this.

I too found the phrase “beyond the Pope’s authority” improper. They are a Catholic order. Of course they are under the Pope’s authority. However, it is my understanding (and I have already shown how wrong I can be) that Cardinal Burke was present, and as patron serves as a representative for the Holy See. Many things that are under the Pope’s authority are not decided by the Pope, but by one to whom he delegates authority.