Cardinal Burke withdraws from London conference at last minute

[Santi2]

Mystery surrounds the unexpected withdrawal of Cardinal Raymond Burke as the main speaker at a conference organised by Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice at Westminster Central Hall on June 18.

The Faith of our Fathers conferences, which began in 1996, have traditionally attracted high-profile speakers such as Mother Angela, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network. As prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Burke oversees the administration of justice in the Church. He was to have spoken on “The Restoration of Church Discipline and Evangelisation”. He has long been seen as one of the most outspoken US bishops and, since his elevation to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict last November, is one of the highest-placed officials at the Vatican.

Daphne McLeod, chairman of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, said that Cardinal Burke had been informed by “several devout and faithful people” that his speaking at the conference would be divisive because Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice “are too outspoken and don’t have respect for the bishops.
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catholicherald.co.uk/news/2011/06/01/cardinal-burke-withdraws-from-london-conference-at-last-minute/

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[Dale_M]

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Santi, I am guessing you are familiar with this organization. I’ll admit, I have not heard of it. Could you tell us how critical of the bishops has this organization been?

Another news source has the full text of the letter Cardinal Burke sent to the organization. In it, he expresses concern over the language which the organization has used in its registration form for the event:
Cardinal Burke:

Over the past two weeks I have received several expressions of concern from devout and faithful Catholics of England about the meaning of the presentation which I am scheduled to give at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster on June 18. Also I have received a copy of the registration form for the event which begins with a highlighted text about the decline of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and which continues with the assertion: “sadly, because our bishops are obdurate in their refusal to allow our glorious Catholic faith to be taught in the schools, the downward trend is set to resume with the second generation of immigrants’.” A number of those who have communicated with me also have sent me texts from various sources which in fact are characterising the event on 18 June as a direct criticism of the Bishop of England and Wales by a member of the Roman Curia.

As you will well appreciate, given my position as the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signitura, in which I act on behalf of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, it is not right for me to give a presentation in any place which would in any way reflect the lack of respect for the Office of the Bishop in that place.

Although I am sure it has not been your intention to put me in such a position, that in fact is what has happened.

As a result, with great regret, I must cancel my engagement to give the public lecture for which Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice invited me.

indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18340

At least for the time being, the organization has a copy of Cardinal Burke’s letter, and their response to him, on their website:
proecclesia.com/page_newsflash.htm

 

[Santi2]

Santi, I am guessing you are familiar with this organization. I’ll admit, I have not heard of it. ** Could you tell us how critical of the bishops has this organization been?**
Another news source has the full text of the letter Cardinal Burke sent to the organization. In it, he expresses concern over the language which the organization has used in its registration form for the event:

indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18340

At least for the time being, the organization has a copy of Cardinal Burke’s letter, and their response to him, on their website:
proecclesia.com/page_newsflash.htm

Dale, to understand the depth of Pro Ecclesia’s criticism of the Bishops is to trawl through events in England and Wales over the past years i.e. the lack of sound catechetical instructions in our Catholic schools and Soho Masses are two of the issues which PEEP have raised with the BCEW.